ngủ ngon
[ŋu˧˩ ŋɔn˧˧]
The English phrase "sleep well" is translated into Vietnamese as ngủ ngon.
ngủ ngon is used to wish someone a good night's sleep. You can use the shorthand ngủ ngon in casual settings, or expand it into a complete, more formal sentence by adding the verb chúc (to wish) at the beginning to say Chúc ngủ ngon.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb ngủ (to sleep) and the adjective ngon (delicious, good or pleasant).
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle nhé to the end of the phrase, as in ngủ ngon nhé, makes the expression sound softer and functions as a friendly suggestion or wish.
Did you know?
- While ngủ ngon is the standard wish, Vietnamese speakers often use different kinship terms (like con, em or anh) depending on the relative age of the person they are wishing a good night to.
- Because Vietnamese is a tonal language, changing the tone of ngủ (to sleep) can turn the word into something entirely different, such as ngữ (language).
- The word ngủ is believed to have been borrowed into Vietnamese from the Kra-Dai language family.
Examples in context
- Chúc cô giáo ngủ ngon.Wishing the teacher a good sleep.
- Ngủ ngon nhé, bạn!Sleep well, my friend!
- Chúc con gái/người thân ngủ ngon.Wishing my daughter/loved one a good sleep.
- Chúc bạn ngủ ngon.Wish you sleep well.
Example conversation
Minh is going to bed and Lan says goodnight to him.
- LanAnh đi ngủ đi.You should go to sleep.
- MinhChào em, anh đi ngủ đây.Goodbye, I am going to sleep now.
- LanChúc anh ngủ ngon.Wish you sleep well.
- MinhCảm ơn Lan, chúc em ngủ ngon.Thank you Lan, wish you sleep well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ngủ ngon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ngon, ngủ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
