A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "In the afternoon" in Italian
Use 'nel pomeriggio' for 'in the afternoon' to talk about activities from lunchtime until evening.
nel pomeriggio
nel poh-meh-REE-johneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
This phrase covers the period after lunch until sunset. You might say 'Ci vediamo nel pomeriggio' (See you in the afternoon) or 'Ho un appuntamento nel pomeriggio' (I have an appointment in the afternoon).
Alternatives
- al pomeriggioLess common, sometimes used in certain regions or older speech.
- dopo pranzoSpecifically means 'after lunch' and can overlap with the early afternoon.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'pomeriggio' with 'morning'
'Mattina' means morning; 'pomeriggio' is strictly afternoon.
Incorrect preposition
Always use 'nel' or 'al' before 'pomeriggio', never just 'pomeriggio' alone.
A small cultural note
The afternoon in Italy can be a time for a siesta or a slower pace, especially in warmer months or smaller towns, though this is less common in big cities during the work week.
When you'd actually say this
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Rescheduling a doctor's appointment
You're standing at the reception desk of a small clinic in Bologna, the waiting room smells faintly of antiseptic, and the receptionist has just told you the morning slot is taken. You tell her, 'Va bene, posso venire nel pomeriggio?' — you need to confirm you can make it after your work shift ends at two.
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Coordinating a market visit with your host
Your host family in Palermo mentions that the morning market will be too crowded and suggests going later. You nod and confirm the plan: 'Allora ci andiamo nel pomeriggio.' The heat outside is already building and you're both still finishing your espresso at the kitchen table.
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Texting a colleague about a delayed delivery
You're waiting for a package at a rental apartment in Milan and the courier has already missed the morning window. You message your Italian colleague to let her know you'll be home: 'Sarò qui nel pomeriggio, possono ripassare.' You type it quickly, hoping she can relay it before the courier gives up.
Related ways to say it in Italian
- nel primo pomeriggio — in the early afternoon
- Use this when you need to specify the period just after lunch, roughly 1–3 pm, rather than leaving the timing vague.
- nel tardo pomeriggio — in the late afternoon
- Use this when the activity falls closer to sunset, roughly 5–7 pm; it signals the tail end of the afternoon rather than the middle of it.
- di pomeriggio — in the afternoon (habitual)
- Preferred when describing a recurring habit or general tendency rather than a specific day — 'Di pomeriggio lavoro da casa' — slightly more informal than 'nel pomeriggio'.
- verso le tre del pomeriggio — around three in the afternoon
- Use when you want to anchor the time more precisely; 'del pomeriggio' here distinguishes 3 pm from 3 am and is common in spoken scheduling.
Notes for English speakers
- 'Pomeriggio' is a masculine noun, so adjectives and articles must agree — you will hear 'nel tardo pomeriggio' not 'nella tarda pomeriggio', a slip English speakers make by instinct because 'afternoon' has no gender.
- The double 'g' in 'pomeriggio' produces a sound English ears often flatten into a single soft 'j'; the correct pronunciation holds a slightly longer palatal affricate, closer to the 'gg' in 'maggiore', and rushing past it can make the word sound like a different word entirely to Italian listeners.
- Italian treats 'pomeriggio' as beginning roughly at 1 pm after the main meal, so if you say 'nel pomeriggio' to mean 11 am, an Italian speaker will be confused — what English calls 'late morning' has no clean overlap with this word, and 'mattina' remains correct until lunch is done.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What time is 'pomeriggio' in Italy?
Generally, 'pomeriggio' starts after lunch, around 1 PM or 2 PM, and lasts until sunset or around 6 PM or 7 PM.
Can I use 'nel pomeriggio' for evening?
No, 'nel pomeriggio' is for the afternoon. For evening, you would use 'la sera'.
Is 'nel pomeriggio' formal or informal?
'Nel pomeriggio' is a neutral phrase that fits both casual and more formal conversations.
