dobrú noc
/ˈdɔbruː nɔt͡s/
dobrú noc is the Slovak way to say goodnight.
dobrú noc is a greeting used when someone is going to sleep or when you are leaving someone at night. You can also use the informal phrase Sladké sny to wish someone sweet dreams.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective dobrú (good) and the noun noc (night).
Which one should you use?
Use dobrý večer (good evening) as a greeting when you are arriving or meeting someone in the evening. Use dobrú noc only when someone is actually going to sleep or departing for the night.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this formulaic greeting, the adjective dobrá (good) takes the feminine accusative form dobrú because it modifies the feminine noun noc.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdɔbruː nɔts/
Did you know?
- The word noc is used in the Slovak word for 'nightmare', nočná mora, where mora refers to a mythological spirit that sits on a sleeper's chest.
- While dobrú noc is standard, children are often told spinkaj or spinkajtko, which are affectionate, diminutive versions of the verb 'to sleep'.
- Slovak grammar requires the 'accusative' case for dobrú noc because the speaker is implicitly wishing that the other person 'have' or 'experience' a good night.
Examples in context
- Dobrú noc, uvidíme sa ráno.Goodnight, I'll see you in the morning.This sentence shows how to use dobrú noc when saying you will see someone in the morning.Tatoeba #9027566 by Dominika7, translation #3096231 by CK
- Dobrú noc!Goodnight!This is a simple use of dobrú noc as an exclamation.Tatoeba #2428451 by slovak, translation #1068125 by erik21889
- Dobrú noc, Tom.Goodnight, Tom.This shows dobrú noc used when addressing someone by name.Tatoeba #13947164 by Adelpa, translation #9676171 by CK
- Peter: "Dobrú noc, otec."Goodnight, father.
- Father: "Príjemný spánok, syn môj."Have a pleasant sleep, my son.
- Tomáš: "Sladké sny, Karol!"Sweet dreams, Karol!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Marek and Dana are parting ways at the end of the evening.
- MarekDobrú noc, Dana.Goodnight, Dana.
- DanaDobrú noc, Marek. Spi sladko.Goodnight, Marek. Sleep sweetly.
- MarekUvidíme sa zajtra.See you tomorrow.
- DanaÁno, ahoj.Yes, bye.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry dobrú noc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
