bonne nuit
/bɔn nɥi/
“Good night” in French is bonne nuit.
This phrase is used specifically to wish someone a good night's sleep or to say goodbye before bed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the feminine adjective bonne (good) and the noun nuit (night).
Which one should you use?
Unlike bonsoir (good evening), which is used as a greeting when arriving, bonne nuit is used exclusively when someone is departing or going to sleep.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase Faites de beaux rêves translates to have beautiful dreams and is used in some areas of France.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɔn nɥi/
Did you know?
- In some French households, parents might tell children fais dodo instead of bonne nuit, using a baby-talk version of the verb dormir (to sleep).
- The phrase bonne nuit can be used as a social tool to signal the end of a gathering. Saying it to a guest who is not yet tired can be a polite but firm hint that the host is ready for the evening to conclude.
- The word nuit is the direct descendant of the Latin word nox, which is the same root that gives English the word 'nocturnal'.
Examples in context
- Bonne nuit, fais de beaux rêvesGoodnight, have beautiful dreams
- Bonne nuit, tout le monde.Good night, everyone.
- Bonne nuit, mon petit chat.Good night, my little kitten.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Léa are finishing a phone call late at night.
- GabrielJe dois vraiment dormir maintenant.I really have to sleep now.
- LéaD'accord, bonne nuit, Gabriel.Okay, good night, Gabriel.
- GabrielBonne nuit, Léa.Good night, Léa.
- LéaÀ demain !See you tomorrow!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bonne nuit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nuit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
