A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "In the afternoon" in French
Say 'l'après-midi' for 'in the afternoon' to sound natural in French conversations.
l'après-midi
lah-preh-mee-DEEneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this phrase when referring to any time after noon and before evening. For example, you might say 'On se voit l'après-midi ?' (Shall we meet in the afternoon?).
Alternatives
- dans l'après-midiSlightly more formal, emphasizing 'during' the afternoon.
- cet après-midiUse when referring to *this specific* afternoon.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 's'
The 's' in 'après' is silent, so don't pronounce it.
Forgetting the 'l'
Always use 'l'' before 'après-midi' because 'après-midi' is masculine and starts with a vowel.
A small cultural note
The afternoon in France is often a time for a leisurely break, especially in smaller towns. In big cities, it's usually just business as usual.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
When does 'l'après-midi' start?
It generally starts right after noon, around 1 PM. There's no strict cutoff, but it's the period between lunch and the evening.
What do the French say for "in the afternoon"?
The most common way to say "in the afternoon" in French is "l'après-midi".
Can you say "bonne journée" in the afternoon?
While "bonne journée" means "have a good day," it is typically used in the morning or early afternoon. For later in the day, "bonne soirée" is more appropriate.
What is the correct preposition for "in the afternoon" in French?
You use the preposition "dans" before "l'après-midi" when referring to a specific afternoon, or simply "l'après-midi" to mean generally in the afternoon.
How do you say "Good afternoon" in French?
There isn't a direct, universally used equivalent for "Good afternoon" in French. People often use "Bonjour" throughout the day until the evening, or switch to "Bonsoir" as evening approaches.
