Καληνύχτα
kalinýchtaeveryday, Cyprus
In Cyprus you say Καληνύχτα (kalinýchta) for "goodnight". It is the standard Greek word, and Cypriots use it when going to bed or when leaving late in the evening. It is also called Καληνύχτα σας (kalinýchta sas) and Όνειρα γλυκά (óneira glyká).
Meaning: wish said at bedtime or when parting late (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Καληνύχτα | kalinýchta | everyday, Cyprus |
| Καληνύχτα σας | kalinýchta sas | polite |
| Όνειρα γλυκά | óneira glyká | warm |
Καληνύχτα is for parting at night. When you arrive in the evening, the greeting is Καλησπέρα (kalispéra) instead.
Which one should you use?
Όνειρα γλυκά (óneira glyká) means "sweet dreams" and is what parents say to children or partners say to each other.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Καληνύχτα σας (kalinýchta sas) is the polite form for older people or several people at once.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Cypriot Greek is a spoken dialect, and in writing Cypriots use standard Greek, so the spelling is the same in Cyprus and in Athens.
Did you know?
- Καληνύχτα is built from καλή (kalí), "good", and νύχτα (nýchta), "night".
Examples in context
- Καληνύχτα, μαμά.Kalinýchta, mamá.Goodnight, mom.
- Καληνύχτα σας και ευχαριστούμε για το δείπνο.Kalinýchta sas kai efcharistoúme gia to deípno.Goodnight and thank you for the dinner.
- Όνειρα γλυκά, αγάπη μου.Óneira glyká, agápi mou.Sweet dreams, my love.
Example conversation
Costas tucks his daughter Elena into bed in their house in Nicosia.
- CostasΕίναι αργά, Ελένη. Καληνύχτα.Eínai argá, Eléni. Kalinýchta.It is late, Eleni. Goodnight.
- ElenaΚαληνύχτα, μπαμπά.Kalinýchta, bampá.Goodnight, dad.
- CostasΌνειρα γλυκά.Óneira glyká.Sweet dreams.
