Gute Nacht
The English phrase "good night" is translated into German as Gute Nacht.
Gute Nacht is a phrase used to wish someone a good night before they go to sleep. Use Guten Abend as a greeting when arriving or meeting someone in the evening, and Gute Nacht only when parting ways for sleep. You can also combine phrases, such as Gute Nacht und träum süß, which means "Good night and sweet dreams" and is used in some regions of Germany.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective gute (good) and the noun Nacht (night).
Which one should you use?
Gute Nacht. is the most common informal way to say "Good night" in German. You can also use different phrases depending on whether you want to wish someone a good sleep or use more casual language. For example, Schlaf gut. is an informal way to wish someone a good night's sleep and translates to "Sleep well", whereas Träum was Schönes is a colloquial phrase meaning "Dream something beautiful".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In southern Germany and Austria, the Bavarian dialect version Guade Nocht. is used.
Did you know?
- The term mein Schatz, often added to Gute Nacht, literally translates to 'my treasure' rather than 'my darling' or 'my honey'.
- The word Nacht is a cognate of the English word 'night' and the Latin word 'nox', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *nókʷts.
- In German, you would never use Gute Nacht as a greeting when entering a room or meeting someone at a party, even at midnight.
Examples in context
- Gute Nacht, schlaf gut!Good night, sleep well!
- Ich sage schon mal Gute Nacht.I'll say good night now.
- Gute Nacht, träum was Schönes.Good night, dream something beautiful.
Example conversation
Maximilian and Hannah are saying goodbye before going to their rooms.
- MaximilianIch bin sehr müde.I am very tired.
- HannahIch auch, ich gehe schlafen.Me too, I am going to sleep.
- MaximilianAlles klar. Gute Nacht, Hannah!All right. Good night, Hannah!
- HannahGute Nacht, Maximilian!Good night, Maximilian!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Nacht, CC BY-SA 4.0.
