fais de beaux rêves
/fɛ d(ə) bo ʁɛv/
The English phrase "nice dream" is expressed in French as fais de beaux rêves.
This phrase is used to wish someone a pleasant night's sleep.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, fais de beaux rêves translates to "make beautiful dreams".
Which one should you use?
While English speakers say "have a nice dream", French speakers use the verb faire (to make/do) instead of avoir (to have).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form fais de beaux rêves uses the imperative of the singular informal tu form.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛ d(ə) bo ʁɛv/
Did you know?
- While fais de beaux rêves is the standard wish, French speakers often simply say fais dodo, a childish term for sleeping. Using dodo with adults is a common way to be playful or affectionate.
- In French, the word rêve refers to both the dreams you have while sleeping and the daydreams you have while awake. English uses two different words to distinguish these states.
- The word de in this phrase descends from the Latin preposition dē, which originally indicated movement from above or away from something.
Examples in context
- Dans mon sommeil, j'ai fait un beau rêve.In my sleep, I had a nice dream.
- J'ai fait un joli rêve cette nuit.I had a lovely dream last night.
- Salut ! Je viens de faire un beau rêve.Hey! I just had a nice dream.
- Devine quoi ! J'ai fait un chouette rêve cette nuit !Guess what! I had an awesome dream last night!
- Ma nuit était agrémentée par une belle rêverie.My night was embellished by a beautiful dream.
- Bonne nuit, fais de beaux rêves.Good night, sweet dreams.
- Dors bien et fais de beaux rêves.Sleep well and have nice dreams.
- Allez, au lit, fais de beaux rêves !Come on, to bed, have nice dreams!
Example conversation
A couple saying goodnight to each other in their bedroom.
- GabrielBonne nuit, Chloé.Good night, Chloé.
- ChloéBonne nuit Gabriel, fais de beaux rêves.Good night Gabriel, have nice dreams.
- GabrielMerci, toi aussi.Thank you, you too.
- ChloéÀ demain.See you tomorrow.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fais de beaux rêves, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
