bonne nuit maman
The English phrase "good night mom" is translated into French as bonne nuit maman.
bonne nuit maman is a phrase used to say goodbye to one's mother before going to sleep. If you want to be more endearing, you can use the informal expression Bonne nuit, maman chérie, which adds the word chérie (darling). Other informal ways to express similar sentiments include Dors bien, maman (sleep well, mom) or Fais de beaux rêves, maman (have beautiful dreams, mom).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bonne (good), nuit (night) and maman (mom).
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between parting and greeting: while bonne nuit is used specifically when someone is going to sleep, bonsoir is used as a greeting in the evening.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
bonne nuit maman is informal because it uses maman, which is an affectionate term for mother. In contrast, mère is the more formal or biological term for mother.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective bonne is in the feminine form to agree with the feminine noun nuit.
Did you know?
- In some French families, the phrase bonne nuit is accompanied by bisous (little kisses) on both cheeks, even for adult children.
- When telling a mother to 'have beautiful dreams' with Fais de beaux rêves, French uses the adjective 'beautiful' (beaux) where English uses 'sweet'.
- The word nuit comes from the Latin nox, which is also the root of the English word 'nocturnal'.
Examples in context
- Bonne nuit maman.Good night mom.
- Bonne nuit maman, je t'aime.Good night mom, I love you.
- Dors bien, bonne nuit maman.Sleep well, good night mom.
Example conversation
Chloé is going to her bedroom for the night.
- ChloéBonne nuit maman !Good night mom!
- HugoBonne nuit ma chérie.Good night my dear.
- ChloéFais de beaux rêves.Sweet dreams.
- HugoToi aussi, Chloé.You too, Chloé.
