gōde niht
The English phrase "good night" is translated into Old English as gōde niht.
This phrase is used as a farewell.
Meaning: a farewell (phrase)
Did you know?
- If you look at the word niht, it is a distant relative of the Russian word nočʹ. Despite the vast differences in how these languages look today, they stem from the same ancient root.
- The consonant cluster 'ht' in niht represents a sound that has largely disappeared from modern English. While we pronounce the 'gh' in 'night' as silent, an Old English speaker would have produced a distinct, breathy sound.
Examples in context
- Gōde niht þē, mīn lēof.Good night to you, my dear.
Example conversation
Two friends are leaving each other's house at evening.
- ÆthelstanGōde niht, Wulfrun.Good night, Wulfrun.
- WulfrunGōde niht, Æthelstan.Good night, Æthelstan.
- ÆthelstanSlǣp þū wel.Sleep you well.
- WulfrunIc þancie þē.Thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good night” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries niht, CC BY-SA 4.0.
