Boa noite
/ˈbo.ɐ ˈnoj.t͡ʃi/
In Portuguese, "have a good night" is expressed as Boa noite.
Boa noite is a polite greeting or farewell used when meeting or leaving someone in the evening. Unlike English, which distinguishes between "good evening" (a greeting) and "good night" (a farewell), Boa noite is used for both arriving and departing in the evening.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the feminine adjective boa (good) and the feminine noun noite (night).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, Dorme bem is an informal way to say "sleep well".
How does it change in a sentence?
Because noite is a feminine noun, the adjective must take the feminine form boa rather than the masculine bom.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈbo.ɐ ˈnoj.tʃi/. It has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
When do people say it?
When someone says Boa noite to you, a common and natural response is Igualmente (Likewise / Same to you).
Did you know?
- The word boa is also the name for the Boa constrictor snake in Portuguese.
- In Brazil, Boa noite is often shortened to just Noite! in very casual settings among friends.
- Using Boa noite too early in the afternoon can be seen as a sign that you are exhausted or ready for bed.
Examples in context
- Tenha uma boa noite, até amanhã!Have a good night, see you tomorrow!
- Durma bem, Dona MariaSleep well, Mrs. Maria
- Tenha uma boa noite, meu amigo!Have a good night, my friend!
- Durma bem, manaSleep well, sis
- Boa noite, vó! Durma bem!Good night, grandma! Sleep well!
- Dorme bem, meu amigo!Sleep well, my friend!
- Boa noite, pessoal.Good night, everyone.
- Boa noite, até amanhã.Good night, see you tomorrow.
Example conversation
Gabriel and Camila are leaving a restaurant after dinner.
- GabrielA comida estava ótima, Camila.The food was great, Camila.
- CamilaSim, foi muito bom! Boa noite, Gabriel.Yes, it was very good! Good night, Gabriel.
- GabrielBoa noite, durma bem.Good night, sleep well.
- CamilaObrigada, tchau!Thank you, bye!
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry boa noite.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries boa, boa noite, noite, CC BY-SA 4.0.
