What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 잘 자요 is composed of the adverb 잘 (well) and the verb 자요 (sleep) in a polite form.
Which one should you use?
While 잘 자요 is a polite way to say "sleep well," it is still somewhat casual and is best used with people you are somewhat close to. In contrast, 안녕히 주무세요 is used to show deep respect or when talking to someone in a higher position and 편안한 밤 되세요 is a formal expression used to wish someone a comfortable night.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality depends on your relationship with the listener. Use the casual expression 잘 자 when speaking to friends, siblings or people younger than you. The polite form 잘 자요 is suitable for people you are somewhat close to. For high levels of respect, such as when addressing elders, bosses or high-ranking officials, use the highly formal and respectful 안녕히 주무세요.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 잘 자요, the verb 자요 is the polite present tense form of the verb 자다 (to sleep).
How do you pronounce it?
jal jayo
Did you know?
- In many Korean households, instead of just saying 'goodnight', people might ask 꿈에서 만나요, which means 'let's meet in our dreams'.
- The formal expression 편안한 밤 되세요 literally translates to 'become a comfortable night', treating the 'night' itself as something the person can transform into.
- The highly formal 안녕히 주무세요 uses a special honorific verb 주무시다 instead of the standard 자다. In Korean, certain basic actions have entirely different words depending on the social status of the person performing them.
Examples in context
- 할머니, 안녕히 주무세요Grandmother, sleep well and take care
- 잘 자요.jal jayo.Goodnight.
- 꿈에서 만나요. 잘 자요.kkum-eseo mannayo. jal jayo.See you in my dreams. Goodnight.
- 내일 봐요. 잘 자요.naeil bwayo. jal jayo.See you tomorrow. Goodnight.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Minjun are saying goodbye on the phone before bed.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준 씨, 많이 졸려요?Minjun ssi, mani jollyeoyo?Minjun, are you very sleepy?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 이제 자려고요.ne, ije jaryeogoyo.Yes, I'm going to sleep now.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그럼 잘 자요.geureom jal jayo.Then goodnight.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨도 잘 자요.Seoyeon ssi-do jal jayo.Goodnight to you too, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 잘 자요, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
