Can I use "Hallo" as an afternoon greeting in German?
Absolutely, “Hallo” is a very common and accepted greeting for nearly all times of day, including the afternoon. If you’re looking for a casual way to say good afternoon in German, “Hallo” works perfectly in informal settings. It’s friendly, quick, and universally understood. In Germany, strict adherence to time-specific greetings isn’t as crucial as in English.
While “Guten Tag” might be the more traditional choice, especially in semi-formal or formal situations, “Hallo” can be used with friends, colleagues, and even acquaintances without sounding out of place. It’s versatile and feels more modern than “Guten Nachmittag,” which is rarely heard in real-life conversation.