bonne nuit
/bɔn nɥi/
bonne nuit is the French way to say "goodnight".
bonne nuit is used specifically to say goodbye to someone who is going to sleep or retiring for the night. It is not a general parting used during the evening.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the feminine adjective bonne (good) and the feminine noun nuit (night).
Which one should you use?
While English speakers might use "goodnight" as a general parting, bonne nuit is reserved for when someone is actually going to bed. To wish someone a pleasant evening when leaving a social event or a shop, use bonne soirée instead.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɔn nɥi/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the masculine bon. Because nuit is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine adjective bonne.
When do people say it?
To wish someone sweet dreams, you can use the expression Fais de beaux rêves. A variation meaning "have sweet dreams" is Faites de doux rêves. If you want to informally say "sleep well", you can say Dors bien.
Did you know?
- The term nuit is used in the phrase une nuit blanche, which literally means 'a white night' but actually refers to staying awake all night.
- French children are often told fais dodo, a baby-talk version of 'go to sleep', which is far more common than saying bonne nuit to infants.
- The French word nuit descends from the Latin nox, which also gave English the word 'nocturnal'.
Examples in context
- Bonne nuit, Mère !Goodnight, Mother.This sentence shows how to use bonne nuit when addressing a mother.Tatoeba #3641879 by sacredceltic, translation #869217 by ColinG
- Tom a dit bonne nuit.Tom said goodnight.This sentence illustrates the use of bonne nuit in a simple statement.Tatoeba #9477499 by Micsmithel, translation #2237637 by CK
- Bonne nuit, je te verrai au matin.Goodnight, I'll see you in the morning.This sentence demonstrates using bonne nuit alongside a promise to see someone in the morning.Tatoeba #10689172 by Micsmithel, translation #3096231 by CK
- Bonne nuit à vous tous.Goodnight to all of you.
- Bonne nuit et à bientôt.Goodnight and see you soon.
- Bonne nuit, merci pour votre aide.Goodnight, thank you for your help.
- Dors bien, mon ami.Sleep well, my friend.
- Fais de beaux rêves, mon chéri.Have beautiful dreams, my darling.
- Dors bien, à demain mon amour.Sleep well, see you tomorrow my love.
- Faites de doux rêves, chère amie.Have sweet dreams, dear friend.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are getting ready for bed in their apartment.
- EmmaJe suis très fatiguée ce soir.I am very tired tonight.
- GabrielMoi aussi, bonne nuit, Emma.Me too, goodnight, Emma.
- EmmaBonne nuit, Gabriel.Goodnight, Gabriel.
- GabrielÀ demain.See you tomorrow.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bonne nuit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nuit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
