bona nox
[ˈbɔ.na ˈnɔks]word by word
The English phrase "goodnight" is translated into Latin as bona nox.
Bona nox is a greeting used when leaving someone or going to bed at night.
Which one should you use?
Bona nox is the nominative form of the phrase. If the phrase is functioning as a direct object of a verb, such as when you are saying "I wish you a good night," you should use the accusative form bonam noctem.
How does it change in a sentence?
While bona nox is the nominative form, bonam noctem is the accusative form used when the phrase functions as a direct object of a verb like "to wish" (e.g., "I wish you a good night").
Did you know?
- In Roman mythology, Nox was not just a time of day but the actual personification of Night, a powerful goddess who gave birth to Aether and Hemera.
- In Ancient Rome, people rarely used a phrase like bona nox to say goodbye. They were more likely to use vale, which literally means 'be well'.
- The word nox is the root of the English word 'nocturnal'. This allows English speakers to see the Latin 'night' hidden in words for animals that wake up in the dark.
Examples in context
- Bona nox, amor meus. Dulcia somnia.Goodnight, my love. Sweet dreams.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use bona nox in a parting greeting.Tatoeba #13738754 by carlosalberto, translation #13738632 by carlosalberto
Example conversation
Quintus and Lucia are saying goodbye at the end of the evening.
- QuintusIam ire debeo. Bona nox, Lucia.I must go now. Goodnight, Lucia.
- LuciaBona nox, Quinte. Vale!Goodnight, Quintus. Farewell!
- QuintusDormi bene.Sleep well.
- LuciaTu quoque.You too.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (bona, nox) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
