Why Buenos Dias plural?

Question

Hi

For the phrases

Buenos Dias Buenas Tardes Buenas Noches

Am I right in thinking that these are all plural and Bueonos is plural masculine and Buenas is plural feminine and if so why do they say "Good days" and "Good evenings" and not just use the singular - Bueno Dia etc?

Thanks

PS - I have only be learning a few weeks

ps bueno before a masculine singular noun would just be 'buen' ;) just for next time! - Kiwi-Girl, May 21, 2013

Ok so buen for masculine and buena for feminine so when do you use the full word "bueno" ? Also apologies for posting my first comment as an answer, this was my first time using the forum! - daveamour, May 22, 2013

Sorry one more question. For it is a good car, does buen still go after the noun - eg es un coche buen? - daveamour, May 22, 2013

Answer 1

You're exactly right on the plural business, not bad for two weeks of learning jeje

Ok so someone raised this question before and this is what they found ...

The origin of the plural forms as a way of greeting has to be searched in the past. In former times, from the 10th century on, Spanish language began being developed from Latin where formality was a rule when addressing somebody. The plural form of old Spanish vos (plural you) when talking to more than one person seemed to demand a plural in the rest of the sentence parts: “Buenos días guarden a vos”, and the same with tardes and noches. Besides, the fact that in that age people did not run into each other everyday, due to the meagre communication means, wherever they met they said hello for the rest of the week with a plural form rather than a singular.

Sounds a bit like the royal 'we', I guess this could be one answer but good question!

Just out of interest, here, where I am currently, in Nicaragua, a common greeting is 'buen día' although that's likely a shortened form of 'que tenga un buen día' (may you have a good day). Having said that the other even more common greeting is just 'buenas' and that goes for any time of day.

nice research, mc - 005faa61, May 21, 2013

thanks JC but really someone else did the footwork, I just found their results jeje - Kiwi-Girl, May 21, 2013

Lovely answer, Kiwi, I often wondered, but never bothered to find out.Full marks. - annierats, May 21, 2013

Thanks Annie :) - Kiwi-Girl, May 21, 2013

The Portuguese is - Bom dia. - ray76, May 22, 2013

Answer 2

Hi

Thanks for that, that was very helpful.

I will no doubt be posting many more questions as I study more.

Thanks again.

Dave

all good, that's what we're here for :) - Kiwi-Girl, May 21, 2013

Welcome to SD - and have another vote amigo :) - ian-hill, May 21, 2013

Thanks Ian - daveamour, May 22, 2013

Answer 3

" buen día " is used very often, at least here, in the southern part of Gran Canaria. Mainly between people who know each other well, and maybe also because they like to " cut off " the " s " at the end of words.

Answer 4

" buen día " is used very often, at least here, in the southern part of Gran Canaria. Mainly between people who know each other well, and maybe also because they like to " cut off " the " s " at the end of words.

Ok thanks britisk that helps as well especially as I am off to Gran Canaria in October and again next year! - daveamour, May 22, 2013