gute Nacht mein Schatz
To say goodnight my love in German, use gute Nacht mein Schatz.
What does it mean word for word?
gute Nacht means good night. Schatz literally means treasure and is the most common term of endearment for a romantic partner in German.
Which one should you use?
Schlaf gut, mein Schatz means sleep well, my treasure and is a very common alternative. Gute Nacht, Liebling uses darling instead and Träum süß, mein Herz means sweet dreams, my heart.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Austria the cuter Schatzi is popular, as in Gute Nacht, mein Schatzi. In Swiss German you may hear Guete Nacht, min Schatz. or Schlof guet, min Liebling.
How does it change in a sentence?
gute ends in e because it is an adjective describing the feminine noun Nacht. In writing, a comma usually goes before mein Schatz.
Did you know?
- While Schatz now means 'treasure' or 'darling', it originally referred to 'cattle' in Proto-West Germanic. This reflects an ancient time when livestock were the most valuable assets a person could own.
- In Germany, it is common to call not only a romantic partner but also children Schatz. A parent saying gute Nacht, mein Schatz to a child is completely natural and not romantic.
- Depending on the region, the diminutive Schatzi can sound overly sugary or 'cutesy' to some Germans, while in Austria it is a standard, warm way to address a loved one.
Examples in context
- Ich liebe dich, gute Nacht mein Schatz.I love you, goodnight my love.
Example conversation
A couple is getting ready for bed in their bedroom.
- FelixIch bin sehr müde.I am very tired.
- LauraIch auch, gute Nacht mein Schatz.Me too, goodnight my love.
- FelixTräum süß, Laura.Sweet dreams, Laura.
- LauraDanke, Felix.Thanks, Felix.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Nacht, Schatz, mein, CC BY-SA 4.0.
