good night in japanese

If you want to know how to say good night in Japanese, the standard polite expression is おやすみなさい (oyasuminasai). With friends, family, or a partner, the shorter おやすみ (oyasumi) is a natural choice. Both are used when someone is going to bed or when saying goodbye for the night.

How Do You Say Good Night in Japanese?

The standard polite way to say good night in Japanese is おやすみなさい (oyasuminasai). You can say it before going to bed or when ending a conversation for the night.

The shorter form, おやすみ (oyasumi), is casual and works well with people you are close to. Neither expression is the usual greeting when you first meet someone in the evening; use こんばんは, “good evening”, then.

Different Ways to Say Good Night in Japanese

Start with おやすみなさい or おやすみ. You can add a friendly expression such as “see you tomorrow” or “sweet dreams” when it suits the relationship and situation.

1. おやすみなさい (Oyasuminasai) — Good Night

おやすみなさい (oyasuminasai) is the standard polite expression for “good night.” It works at bedtime and in many situations where you are parting for the night.

It can also be used within a family; the full form is not restricted to formal relationships. However, it is not a universal substitute for every workplace farewell simply because it is dark outside.

2. おやすみ (Oyasumi) — Night / Good Night

おやすみ (oyasumi) is the shortened, casual version. Use it with friends, family, a partner, or someone else you normally speak to informally.

It works in person and in messages. A simple おやすみ！ is enough for a friendly bedtime text.

3. おやすみ、また明日 (Oyasumi, mata ashita) — Good Night, See You Tomorrow

おやすみ、また明日 (oyasumi, mata ashita) combines “good night” with “see you tomorrow.” It fits a casual conversation when you expect to see or speak to the person the next day.

また明日 (mata ashita) can also be used on its own. By itself, it means “see you tomorrow,” not “good night,” and can be said earlier in the day.

4. よく寝てね (Yoku nete ne) — Sleep Well

よく寝てね (yoku nete ne) is a casual way to say “sleep well” or “make sure you get some sleep.” It can express care for someone who is tired or needs rest.

You can add it after おやすみ: おやすみ。よく寝てね (oyasumi. Yoku nete ne). This is a personal wish for good sleep rather than the standard farewell itself.

5. いい夢見てね (Ii yume mite ne) — Sweet Dreams

いい夢見てね (ii yume mite ne) means “have good dreams,” similar to “sweet dreams” in English. It is a warm, casual expression for someone you are close to.

You can say おやすみ。いい夢見てね (oyasumi. Ii yume mite ne). This is an optional affectionate addition; a simple おやすみ is already a complete good-night message.

Good Night in Japanese: Quick Comparison

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How to Pronounce Good Night in Japanese

おやすみなさい (oyasuminasai) can be broken into o-ya-su-mi-na-sa-i. A rough English guide is “oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sah-ee,” with the final two vowels flowing together.

Keep the sounds short and the rhythm fairly even. The Japanese “u” in su is made with less lip rounding than an English “oo.” Avoid stretching “soo” or “mee” into long vowels.

The casual form おやすみ (oyasumi) uses just the first four beats: o-ya-su-mi.

How to Write Good Night in Japanese

The common spelling is おやすみなさい in hiragana. The casual version is おやすみ.

You may also see お休みなさい and お休み, using the kanji 休, which relates to rest. Both versions are understandable, but the all-hiragana forms are convenient everyday choices for this greeting.

Outside a farewell, 休み (yasumi) can mean a rest, a break, or a day off. The context tells you whether someone is talking about time off or saying good night.

Good Night vs. Good Evening in Japanese

こんばんは (konbanwa) means “good evening.” Use it when greeting someone in the evening. おやすみなさい (oyasuminasai) means “good night” and is used before sleep or when parting for the night.

For example, when arriving at a friend’s home in the evening, you might say こんばんは. Later, when someone goes to bed, say おやすみなさい or おやすみ.

When leaving work before coworkers, お先に失礼します (osaki ni shitsurei shimasu), meaning “excuse me for leaving first,” is a more appropriate workplace farewell. Choose the expression for the situation, not just the time of day.

How to Reply to Good Night in Japanese

You can reply with the same greeting. If someone says おやすみなさい (oyasuminasai), saying おやすみなさい back is natural.

With a close friend or partner, you can reply おやすみ (oyasumi) or add また明日 (mata ashita) if you expect to see or speak to them tomorrow.

Summary: How to Say Good Night in Japanese

The standard polite way to say good night in Japanese is おやすみなさい (oyasuminasai). With friends, family, and a partner, おやすみ (oyasumi) is a natural casual option.

For a warmer message, add いい夢見てね (ii yume mite ne), meaning “sweet dreams.” Remember that こんばんは (konbanwa) means “good evening” and is used when greeting someone, rather than saying good night.