Ways to say it
| Algerian Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| تصبح على خير | tesbah 3la khir | to a man |
| ليلة سعيدة | layla sa3ida | |
| تصبحي على خير | tesbahi 3la khir | to a woman |
To a woman, it becomes تصبحي على خير (tesbahi 3la khir). ليلة سعيدة (layla sa3ida), 'a happy night', is a simpler alternative that does not change for gender.
What does it mean word for word?
تصبح literally means 'may you wake up' and على خير means 'into goodness', so the phrase wishes a good start to the next day rather than a good night's rest itself. ليلة سعيدة means 'happy night'.
Which one should you use?
تصبح على خير is the traditional, slightly more caring wish. ليلة سعيدة is quicker and gender neutral.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both are polite and common with family, friends and in writing, such as a text message before bed.
Is it said differently in some regions?
تصبح على خير is used across the Arab world, while ليلة سعيدة is also influenced by the French 'bonne nuit' pattern used in Algerian cities.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes for gender: تصبح to a man, تصبحي to a woman, تصبحوا to a group.
How do you pronounce it?
تصبح is said quickly, closer to 'tesbah', with the stress on the first syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using the male تصبح with a woman is a common slip. Remember the ي ending for a woman.
When do people say it?
A typical reply to تصبح على خير is وانت من أهله, 'and you among its people', wishing the same good night back in a traditional way.
Did you know?
- تصبح على خير literally wishes a good waking rather than a good sleep, since تصبح comes from the verb for the morning.
- The traditional reply وانت من أهله is also used after the daytime phrase ليلة القدر during Ramadan, showing the same response pattern.
Examples in context
- تصبح على خير يا خويا.tesbah 3la khir ya khouya.Good night, brother.
- تصبحي على خير، نعسة هنية.tesbahi 3la khir, na3sa hniya.Good night, sleep well.
- ليلة سعيدة للجميع.layla sa3ida leljami3.Good night to everyone.
Example conversation
Nabil wishes his daughter Sarah good night before she goes to sleep.
- Nabilتصبحي على خير يا سارة.tesbahi 3la khir ya Sarah.Good night, Sarah.
- Sarahتصبح على خير يا بابا.tesbah 3la khir ya baba.Good night, dad.
- Nabilنعسة هنية.na3sa hniya.Sleep well.
- Sarahالله يحفظك.allah yahfadek.God protect you.
