خوابهای خوب ببینی
khābhāye khub bebini
The Persian phrase for "sweet dreams" is خوابهای خوب ببینی (khābhāye khub bebini).
The phrase خوابهای خوب ببینی is used as a parting wish when someone is going to sleep, serving the same purpose as the English "sweet dreams".
Meaning: sweet dreams (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "may you see good dreams". The part khābhāye khub means "good dreams" and bebini is the second-person singular subjunctive of the verb "to see".
Which one should you use?
While the most common way to say this is using the word for "good" (khub), you can also use the word for "sweet" (shirin) to say خوابهای شیرین ببینی, which translates to "may you see sweet dreams". Additionally, the informal phrase Shab ziba can be used to mean "beautiful night" to express the same sentiment of wishing someone sweet dreams.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word bebini is the second-person singular subjunctive form of the verb "to see".
How do you pronounce it?
khābhāye khub bebini
Did you know?
- If you use the word shirin for 'sweet' in this phrase, you are using a word that is also frequently used to describe someone with a charming or pleasant personality.
- The term khab (dream) is central to many Persian literary tropes, making the phrase more culturally significant than a mere polite goodbye.
- Because the phrase uses the subjunctive mood bebini, it functions more as a blessing or a prayer than a simple statement. It is a way of saying 'may it happen that you see…'.
Examples in context
- شب بخیر، خوابهای خوب ببینی.shab bekheyr, khāb-hā-ye khub bebini.Goodnight, sweet dreams.
- برو بخواب، خوابهای خوب ببینی.boro bekhab, khāb-hā-ye khub bebini.Go to sleep, sweet dreams.
Example conversation
A couple is saying goodnight in their bedroom.
- محمد Mohammadنیلوفر، شب بخیر.Nilufar, shab bekheyr.Nilufar, goodnight.
- نیلوفر Niloufarشب بخیر محمد عزیزم.shab bekheyr Mohammad-e azizam.Goodnight, my dear Mohammad.
- محمد Mohammadخوابهای خوب ببینی.khāb-hā-ye khub bebini.Sweet dreams.
- نیلوفر Niloufarممنون، تو هم همینطور.mamnun, to ham hamintor.Thanks, you too.
