What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of خوب (khoob) meaning 'well' and بخوابی (bekhabi) meaning 'you sleep' in the subjunctive mood.
Which one should you use?
While خوب بخوابی is a common way to say 'sleep well', it is more common in Persian to use idiomatic expressions like شب بخیر to mean 'good night'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase can change depending on who you are addressing. The polite or plural form is خوب بخوابید (khoob bekhabid). If you are using a singular imperative for a command or a very direct wish, you use خوب بخواب (khoob bekhab).
How do you pronounce it?
khoob bekhabi
When do people say it?
To wish someone a good night, you can use several expressions. شب بخیر is a common way to say 'good night' and works in both formal and informal situations. For a more formal setting, you can say شب خوش, which translates to 'pleasant night'. In an informal setting, you might say شبت خوش to mean 'have a pleasant night'. If you want to be more affectionate, you can say خواب خوبی ببین عزیزم, which means 'have a good sleep, my dear'.
Did you know?
- The word خوب used in 'sleep well' shares an ancient root with the English word 'work'. It evolved from a Proto-Indo-European term combining 'good' and 'work'.
- In Persian culture, rather than just wishing someone 'good sleep', it is very common to say خواب‌های خوب ببینی, which literally translates to 'may you see good dreams'.
- In classical Persian poetry, sleep is often personified as a conscious entity or a character rather than just a biological state.
Examples in context
- خواب خوبی ببین، عزیزم. امیدوارم فردا روز خوبی داشته باشی.Have a good sleep, my dear. I hope you have a great day tomorrow.
- شبت خوش باشه. برایت آرزوی خوابی آرام می‌کنم.Have a pleasant night. I wish you a peaceful sleep.
- خوب بخوابی، عزیزم.khub bekhabi, azizam.Sleep well, my dear.
- شب بخیر، خوب بخوابی.shab bekheir, khub bekhabi.Good night, sleep well.
- خداحافظ، خوب بخوابی.khodahafez, khub bekhabi.Goodbye, sleep well.
Example conversation
Sara and Reza are saying goodnight before going to their separate rooms.
- سارا Saraرضا، شب بخیر.Reza, shab bekheir.Reza, good night.
- رضا Rezaشب بخیر سارا، خوب بخوابی.shab bekheir Sara, khub bekhabi.Good night Sara, sleep well.
- سارا Saraممنون، تو هم همینطور.mamnun, to ham hamtor.Thanks, you too.
- رضا Rezaخداحافظ.khodahafez.Goodbye.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries خوب, CC BY-SA 4.0.
