What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the feminine adjective boa (good) and the feminine noun noite (night).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, you might use the poetic alternative Tenha bons sonhos! (Have good dreams!) when saying goodbye in the evening. Another common Brazilian expression used to wish someone a peaceful night's sleep, particularly between parents and children, is Durma com os anjos! (Sleep with the angels!). In Portugal, the more elaborate phrase Durma com os anjos e tenha sonhos dourados! (Sleep with the angels and have golden dreams!) is used by close friends or family members to wish someone a night of happiness and pleasant dreams.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because noite is a feminine noun, the adjective must be the feminine form boa instead of the masculine bom.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈbo.ɐ ˈnoj.tʃi/. It has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, the word boa is a cognate of the English word 'good', but it also shares a name with the genus of the 'boa' constrictor snake. While the greeting is perfectly polite, the word boa is also the name of a large species of snake.
Examples in context
- Boa noite, como vai?Good evening, how are you?
- Desejo a todos uma boa noite.I wish everyone a good night.
- Boa noite, até amanhã!Good night, see you tomorrow!
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Camila are leaving a restaurant at night.
- RodrigoBoa noite, Camila.Good evening, Camila.
- CamilaBoa noite, Rodrigo. Foi um prazer.Good evening, Rodrigo. It was a pleasure.
- RodrigoTchau, descanse bem.Bye, rest well.
- CamilaObrigada, boa noite!Thank you, good night!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry boa noite, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boa, boa noite, noite, CC BY-SA 4.0.
