How to Say “Have a Good Rest” in French

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repose-toi bien
The English phrase 'have a good rest' is translated into French as repose-toi bien.
This phrase is used to wish someone a relaxing and refreshing break or sleep. While it is a common expression, it is often used specifically in contexts where someone is recovering from illness or exhaustion rather than just wishing them a simple daily break.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase repose-toi bien is composed of the imperative verb repose (rest), the reflexive pronoun toi (yourself) and the adverb bien (well).

Which one should you use?

repose-toi bien is used to mean 'rest well'. In contrast, if you want to specifically say 'sleep well', you would use dors bien informally or dormez bien formally.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

You should use repose-toi bien when speaking to a friend, a family member or someone you address with the informal 'tu'. For formal situations, such as when addressing a stranger, a superior or an elder, use reposez-vous bien to maintain politeness. To say 'sleep well' formally, use dormez bien.

How does it change in a sentence?

If you are speaking to more than one person or using the formal 'vous' form, you must change repose-toi bien to reposez-vous bien.

Did you know?

  • When telling a child to sleep, French speakers use the phrase fais dodo, which uses a reduplicative word to sound like a lullaby.
  • The verb reposer is used in French to describe how a building or a piece of art 'rests' within its environment.
  • If someone is resting due to extreme fatigue, a French speaker might tell them to reprendre des forces, which means 'take back some forces'.

Examples in context

  • Monsieur Dupont, passez une bonne nuit.
    Mr. Dupont, have a good night.
  • Madame, reposez-vous bien.
    Ma'am, rest well.
  • Repose-toi bien, mon ami.
    Rest well, my friend.
  • Dors bien, ma chérie.
    Sleep well, my darling.
  • Tu as l'air fatigué, repose-toi bien ce soir.
    You look tired, have a good rest tonight.
  • Repose-toi bien après cette longue journée.
    Have a good rest after this long day.
  • Tu as l'air fatiguée, repose-toi bien.
    You look tired, have a good rest.
  • Repose-toi bien avant ton voyage demain.
    Have a good rest before your trip tomorrow.

Example conversation

Lucas is saying goodbye to Léa as she prepares for bed.

  1. Lucas

    Bonne nuit, Léa.
    Good night, Léa.
  2. Léa

    Merci, Lucas. À demain !
    Thank you, Lucas. See you tomorrow!
  3. Lucas

    Repose-toi bien.
    Have a good rest.
  4. Léa

    Toi aussi, dors bien.
    You too, sleep well.
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Bobby Harold
Bobby HaroldHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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