ruh dich gut aus
The English phrase "rest well" can be translated into German as ruh dich gut aus.
ruh dich gut aus is a wish for someone to get a good amount of sleep or relaxation to recover their energy. It is typically used when someone is tired, sick or has finished a period of hard work and is about to sleep or relax.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the separable verb ausruhen, which literally means to rest oneself out.
Which one should you use?
While ruh dich gut aus focuses on the process of recovering energy through rest, the phrase schlaf gut is a more specific wish for a good night's sleep.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular informal version is ruh dich gut aus. If you are speaking to a group of friends or children, use the plural informal form ruht euch gut aus. The formal version uses the pronoun Sie and the verb form ruhen Sie sich instead of ruh dich.
When do people say it?
A popular way to wish someone a restful night is to simply say Gute Nacht, which means "Good night".
Did you know?
- If someone is recovering from a long illness, a German might say Gute Besserung instead of ruh dich gut aus to focus on the healing process.
- While ruh dich gut aus is a kind wish, if you tell someone to 'ruhen Sie sich aus' in a very stiff, formal tone, it can occasionally sound like a command to stay still or be quiet.
- The German word gut comes from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to unite' or 'to suit'. In this sense, something 'good' is something that fits well with something else.
Examples in context
- Schlaf gut! Bis morgen!Sleep well! See you tomorrow!
- Ruh dich gut aus nach der Arbeit.Rest well after work.
- Du bist müde, ruh dich gut aus.You are tired, rest well.
- Bitte ruh dich gut aus am Wochenende.Please rest well on the weekend.
Example conversation
Julia is saying goodbye to Lukas before he goes to sleep.
- JuliaDu siehst sehr erschöpft aus, Lukas.You look very exhausted, Lukas.
- LukasJa, ich hatte einen langen Tag.Yes, I had a long day.
- JuliaDann ruh dich gut aus.Then rest well.
- LukasDanke, Julia. Gute Nacht.Thanks, Julia. Good night.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aus, dich, gut, CC BY-SA 4.0.
