How to Say ‘Good night’ in Japanese
おやすみなさい
o yasumi nasai
[o yah-SOO-mee nah-SAI]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is said when someone is going to bed or parting late at night, not as a general evening greeting. For that, use こんばんは.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[o]
Polite prefix
Used to add politeness.
お元気ですか？
How are you?
やすみ
yasumi
[yah-SOO-mee]
rest; sleep
Noun from the verb 'yasumu' (to rest); here it refers to going to sleep.
きょうはやすみです。
Today is a day off.
なさい
nasai
[nah-SAI]
please do (polite command)
Polite imperative form of the verb 'to do'; used in set phrases or gentle instructions.
はやく ねなさい。
Go to sleep early.
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