شب بخیر
shab bakhairstandard
In Pakistan the usual way to say "good night" is شب بخیر (shab bakhair). Close friends and family also say the English گڈ نائٹ (good night). It is also called اللہ حافظ، شب بخیر (Allah hafiz, shab bakhair).
Meaning: farewell at night (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Pakistan | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| شب بخیر | shab bakhair | standard |
| اللہ حافظ، شب بخیر | Allah hafiz, shab bakhair | warm |
| گڈ نائٹ | good night | casual, English loan |
شب (shab) is "night" and بخیر (bakhair) is "with goodness". You say it when going to bed or leaving late in the evening, not as a greeting.
Which one should you use?
Adding اللہ حافظ (Allah hafiz), "God protect you", makes the farewell warmer. At home children may say شب بخیر، امی (shab bakhair, ammi).
Is it said differently in some regions?
Pakistanis often use خدا حافظ (Khuda hafiz) or اللہ حافظ (Allah hafiz) for farewell, and شب بخیر (shab bakhair) only at night.
Did you know?
- Many Pakistani children are taught a short bedtime prayer, which is why parents ask دعا پڑھ لی؟ (dua parh li?) before شب بخیر (shab bakhair).
Examples in context
- شب بخیر، کل ملیں گے۔shab bakhair, kal milenge.Good night, we will meet tomorrow.
- شب بخیر، امی۔shab bakhair, ammi.Good night, Mum.
- اللہ حافظ، شب بخیر۔Allah hafiz, shab bakhair.God protect you, good night.
Example conversation
Before bed, little Hamza says goodnight to his parents at home in Lahore.
- Hamzaابو، امی، شب بخیر۔abbu, ammi, shab bakhair.Dad, Mum, good night.
- Ammiشب بخیر بیٹا، دعا پڑھ لی؟shab bakhair beta, dua parh li?Good night dear, did you say your prayer?
- Hamzaجی امی، پڑھ لی۔ji ammi, parh li.Yes Mum, I did.
