お休みなさい
oyasuminasai
In Japanese, the phrase for "goodnight politely" is お休みなさい (oyasuminasai).
お休みなさい is a common and straightforward way to say goodnight. It is used specifically when someone is actually going to sleep or when the conversation is ending for the night.
Which one should you use?
お休みなさい (oyasuminasai) is the polite version, whereas おやすみ (oyasumi) is the informal version used with friends or family.
How do you pronounce it?
oyasuminasai
Did you know?
- The phrase お休みなさい literally translates to 'please do rest' or 'please take a break'. It is an imperative command phrased politely, rather than a simple greeting like the English 'goodnight'.
- While お休みなさい is used for sleep, you cannot use it to say goodbye to someone leaving your house at night. For that, you would use お疲れ様でした or さようなら.
- The stem of the phrase, 休み, is the same word used for 'holiday' or 'vacation'. In a way, you are wishing someone a 'polite holiday' or a 'polite break' as they sleep.
Examples in context
- お休みなさい。Oyasuminasai.Goodnight.
- お父さん、お休みなさい。Otousan, oyasuminasai.Goodnight, Dad.
Example conversation
Two roommates are finishing their studies and getting ready for bed.
- 結衣 Yuiそろそろ寝るね。お休みなさい。Sorosoro neru ne. Oyasuminasai.I'm going to sleep soon. Goodnight.
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、お休みなさい、結衣。Un, oyasuminasai, Yui.Yeah, goodnight, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くんも、ゆっくり休んでね。Hiroto-kun mo, yukkuri yasunde ne.You too, Hiroto, get some good rest.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう。おやすみ。Arigatou. Oyasumi.Thanks. Night.
