buenas noches
/ˌbwenas ˈnot͡ʃes/
In Spanish, "good night" is said as buenas noches.
Buenas noches can mean both "good night" and "good evening". Unlike English, which distinguishes between 'good evening' (a greeting) and 'good night' (a farewell), 'buenas noches' is used for both greeting someone in the evening and saying goodbye at night.
Meaning: a farewell (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "good nights" because both the adjective buenas and the noun noches are in the feminine plural form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is always plural in Spanish, whereas "good night" is singular in English.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌbwenas ˈnotʃes/
Did you know?
- While buenas noches is the standard, some people use the shorthand buenas as a general greeting from the afternoon until late at night.
- The word noches shares a common root with the English word 'nocturnal', linking the Spanish phrase to the biological concept of night-time activity.
- Spanish speakers may use que descanses alongside buenas noches to specifically wish that the other person rests well.
Examples in context
- Di buenas noches, Tom.Say good night, Tom.Tatoeba #3603143 by ficion, translation #3371181 by CK
- Le di las buenas noches.I wished him a good night.Tatoeba #1355207 by marcelostockle, translation #457127 by FeuDRenais
- Le dije "buenas noches".I told him "good night".Tatoeba #8574799 by adaycito, translation #13101158 by frpzzd
- Que tengas buenas noches, amiga. ¡Hablamos mañana!Have a good night, friend. Let's talk tomorrow!
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel are leaving a dinner party.
- MaríaFue una cena muy agradable.It was a very pleasant dinner.
- DanielSí, pero ya tengo sueño.Yes, but I am already sleepy.
- MaríaEstá bien, buenas noches, Daniel.Okay, good night, Daniel.
- DanielBuenas noches, María, descansa.Good night, María, rest well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good night” translations and entries buenas noches, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
