good morning
"Bom dia" literally translates to "good day," but it is the standard, universal way to say "good morning" in Portuguese. The mental image is a bright, optimistic greeting used from the moment you wake up until the sun reaches its peak around noon. It is used in almost every social interaction during the morning hours. While it is perfectly acceptable in formal settings, it is also the default greeting among friends, family, and colleagues, often followed by a name or a term of endearment to sound warmer.
In conversation
Greeting a colleague at the office
Bom dia, Ricardo! Tudo bem?
Good morning, Ricardo! Everything okay?
Bom dia, Ana. Tudo ótimo, e você?
Good morning, Ana. Everything's great, and you?
The most common way to start a workday.
Waking up a partner
Bom dia, meu amor.
Good morning, my love.
Bom dia! Já acordou?
Good morning! Are you awake already?
Adding an endearment makes it very intimate.
Examples
Bom dia, como você está?
Good morning, how are you?
Desejo a todos um bom dia de trabalho.
I wish everyone a good day of work.
Nada melhor que um bom dia ensolarado para começar a semana.
Nothing better than a sunny good morning to start the week.
