5pm : good afternoon/good evening ?

[ph2004]

Can one both use "good afternoon" and "good evening" at 5 pm ?

 

[Linguist__]

Can one both use "good afternoon" and "good evening" at 5 pm ?

(Not a teacher)

I would be more inclined to use 'evening' for 5pm, but I wouldn't argue with someone if they called it afternoon.

My own person use would be:

12pm - 4/5pm - afternoon
5pm - 9pm evening
9pm onwards - night.

I assume it differs for different people. So, you can use both afternoon and evening for 5pm, yes.

 

[Tdol]

It also depends on the time of year to me- I'd say Good afternoon in the summer when it's still light and daytime, but in the winter when it's already dark, I'd be more likely to say Good evening.

 

[Barb_D]

I had the exact same thought at Tdol - In the winter, it's dark, but in the summer, there's still four more hours of daylight, if not more.

 

[mmasny]

My own person use would be:

This expression struck me. I would say "personal use". Is it often said that way?