buenas noches mamá y papá
/bwenas not͡ʃes mama i papa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "goodnight mommy and daddy" is translated into Spanish as buenas noches mamá y papá.
This phrase is used to say goodnight to one's parents before going to sleep. The component buenas noches functions both as a greeting when arriving somewhere at night and as a farewell when leaving or going to sleep.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the word papá, an accent is required on the final a to indicate that the stress is placed on the last syllable. Additionally, if you wish to say "Sweet dreams, mom and dad," you can use Dulces sueños, mami y papi or if you want to say "Rest well, mom and dad," you can use Que descansen, mami y papi.
Did you know?
- The word 'papá' requires a written accent on the last 'a' to distinguish it from 'papa', which refers to a 'potato' in several Spanish-speaking regions.
- In some regions, instead of 'buenas noches', children might say 'que duermas con los angelitos', which means 'sleep with the little angels'.
- In some highly traditional settings, children might use the formal usted when addressing their parents, even during a simple goodnight phrase.
Examples in context
- Buenas noches mamá y papá, los quiero.Goodnight mommy and daddy, I love you.
- ¡Buenas noches mamá y papá! Hasta mañana.Goodnight mommy and daddy! See you tomorrow.
- Ya me voy a dormir, buenas noches mamá y papá.I'm going to sleep now, goodnight mommy and daddy.
Example conversation
A young girl is walking toward her bedroom after being tucked in.
- LucíaBuenas noches mamá y papá.Goodnight mommy and daddy.
- JavierBuenas noches, Lucía. Que duermas bien.Goodnight, Lucía. Sleep well.
- LucíaGracias, los quiero mucho.Thank you, I love you very much.
- JavierNosotros también, hija. Hasta mañana.We do too, daughter. See you tomorrow.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
