спокойной ночи
spokoynoy nochi
To say "sleep well" in Russian, you use спокойной ночи (spokoynoy nochi).
The phrase спокойной ночи is the standard and most common way to say "good night" or "sleep well" in Russian. It is used when wishing someone a good night's rest before they go to sleep.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means "of peaceful night".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is in the genitive case, which implies a missing verb such as "I wish you [a] peaceful night".
How do you pronounce it?
spokoynoy nochi
When do people say it?
When someone says спокойной ночи to you, a common response is тебе тоже (to you too) if you are speaking informally or вам тоже (to you too) if you are speaking formally or to a group.
Did you know?
- The word спокойной comes from the same root as покой, which can mean 'peace' but also refers to 'rest' or 'death' in a poetic or funeral context.
- A common affectionate variation is спокойной ноченьки, where the suffix -еньк- turns 'night' into a diminutive, making the wish sound much tenderer.
- While спокойной ночи is the standard, children are often told баю-бай during lullabies, a phrase that has no direct meaning other than to soothe a baby to sleep.
Examples in context
- Спокойной ночи, Тимми.Sleep well, Timmy.This sentence shows how to use спокойной ночи when addressing someone by name.Tatoeba #1391991 by Biga, translation #4402239 by hakkeb
- Спокойной ночи!Sleep well!This sentence shows the standalone use of спокойной ночи.Tatoeba #923750 by zvaigzne, translation #2425757 by bionicboy
- Спокойной ночи, АлександрGood night, Alexander
- Спокойной ночи, дорогая.Spokoynoy nochi, dorogaya.Good night, darling.
Example conversation
A couple is getting ready for bed in their apartment.
- Дмитрий DmitryЯ уже иду в кровать.Ya uzhe idu v krovat'.I am going to bed now.
- Анастасия AnastasiaСпокойной ночи, Дмитрий.Spokoynoy nochi, Dmitriy.Good night, Dmitry.
- Дмитрий DmitryСпокойной ночи, Анастасия.Spokoynoy nochi, Anastasiya.Good night, Anastasia.
- Анастасия AnastasiaДо завтра.Do zavtra.See you tomorrow.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
