It is quite common to use the greeting “buenos días” as a way of saying goodbye in certain situations. While it may seem a little counterintuitive, it is important to remember that language is often influenced by cultural norms and customs, which can vary from one region to another.
In many Spanish-speaking countries, including but not limited to Mexico, Spain, and most of Latin America, “buenos días” is primarily used as a greeting to say “good morning.” It is a polite and respectful way to acknowledge someone at the beginning of the day. However, there are situations where it can also be used as a farewell.
For example, when children go to bed at night, it is not uncommon for parents or caregivers to say “buenos días” as a way of wishing them a good night and expressing their hopes for a restful sleep. This usage of “buenos días” as a goodbye is more prevalent in certain regions and may not be as widely practiced in others.
Additionally, “buenos días” can also be used as a way to end a conversation on the phone. Similar to how we might say “have a good day” or “take care” in English, using “buenos días” as a farewell in this context conveys well-wishes and a positive sentiment to the person you are speaking with.
It is important to note that while “buenos días” can be used as a goodbye in certain situations, it is not the most common or standard way to bid farewell in Spanish. The phrases “hasta luego” (see you later), “adiós” (goodbye), or “nos vemos” (see you) are more widely used as formal and informal ways of saying goodbye.
While “buenos días” is primarily used as a greeting to say “good morning,” it can also be used as a goodbye in specific contexts such as when children go to bed or when ending a phone conversation. However, it is important to be aware of cultural variations and regional differences in language usage.