おやすみなさい
oyasuminasai
The English phrase "have a good night" is translated into Japanese as おやすみなさい (oyasuminasai).
おやすみなさい is used specifically when someone is actually going to sleep or when a conversation is ending for the night.
Which one should you use?
While こんばんは is a greeting used when meeting someone in the evening (equivalent to "good evening"), おやすみなさい is a parting phrase used when leaving or going to bed.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
おやすみなさい is a polite way to say "have a good night" and is the version used with superiors, elders or strangers.
How do you pronounce it?
oyasuminasai
Did you know?
- The suffix 〜なさい (nasai) in the phrase is a polite imperative form, which is a grammatically unusual way to offer a wish.
- Because the phrase implies a period of rest, it is rarely used if the person you are speaking to is staying up to work or study.
- The phrase is rooted in the verb やすむ (yasumu), which means 'to rest', making the literal sentiment 'please rest'.
Examples in context
- おやすみなさい。Oyasuminasai.Good night.
- もう寝ます。おやすみなさい。Mou nemasu. Oyasuminasai.I'm going to sleep now. Good night.
- おやすみなさい、また明日。Oyasuminasai, mata ashita.Good night, see you tomorrow.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are saying goodbye before going to sleep.
- 美咲 Misaki今日は楽しかったね。おやすみなさい。kyou wa tanoshikatta ne. oyasuminasai.Today was fun. Good night.
- 蓮 Ren僕もだよ。おやすみなさい。boku mo da yo. oyasuminasai.Me too. Have a good night.
- 美咲 Misaki明日もいい日にしましょう。ashita mo ii hi ni shimashou.Let's make tomorrow a great day too.
- 蓮 Renそうだね。ゆっくり寝てね。sou da ne. yukkuri nete ne.I agree. Sleep well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry おやすみなさい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
