شب بخیر
shab bekheyr
In Persian, "have a good night" is said as شب بخیر (shab bekheyr).
This phrase is used both as a way to say goodbye in the evening and specifically as a way to wish someone a good night before they go to sleep.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase شب بخیر is composed of 'shab' (night) and 'bekheyr' (with goodness/good), literally translating to 'night with goodness'.
How do you pronounce it?
shab bekheyr
Did you know?
- The word شب comes from a lineage of words that traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root for 'night', making it a distant cousin to the English word 'night'.
- In many Persian-speaking households, instead of a simple goodbye, one might say خواب‌های خوب ببینی which means 'may you see good dreams'.
- In some Iranian households, saying شب بخیر to an elder is seen as a sign of 'adab' (etiquette) and is expected before the younger person leaves the room.
Examples in context
- شبت خوشHave a good night
- شب بخیر رفقاGood night, my friends
- شب بخیر عزیزم.shab bekheyr azizam.Good night, my dear.
- خواب‌های خوب ببینی، شب بخیر.khāb-hāye khub bebini, shab bekheyr.Have sweet dreams, good night.
- خیلی ممنون، شب بخیر.kheyli mamnun, shab bekheyr.Thank you very much, good night.
Example conversation
Amir and Sara are saying goodbye at the end of the evening.
- امیر Amirمن دیگه می‌روم، شب بخیر سارا.Man dige miravam, shab bekheyr Sara.I'm leaving now, have a good night Sara.
- سارا Saraشب بخیر امیر، مراقب باش.Shab bekheyr Amir, moragheb bash.Have a good night Amir, take care.
- امیر Amirممنون، تو هم استراحت کن.Mamnoon, to ham esterahat kon.Thanks, you should rest too.
- سارا Saraباشه، فردا می‌بینمت.Bashe, farda mibinamet.Okay, I'll see you tomorrow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries شب, شب بخیر, CC BY-SA 4.0.
