How to Say Good Night in Japanese
Learn how to say good night in Japanese. 'Oyasumi' (おやすみ) is casual; 'Oyasuminasai' is polite. Pronunciation guide + when and how to use the Japanese bedtime greeting.
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Quick answer
To say good night in Japanese, say 'Oyasumi' (おやすみ, oh-yah-soo-mee) casually, or 'Oyasuminasai' (おやすみなさい) politely. It's said when going to bed or parting for the night. It comes from the verb 'yasumu' (to rest), so it essentially wishes someone good rest. The polite '-nasai' ending is used with elders, while 'Oyasumi' is for family and close friends.
おやすみ
/oh-yah-soo-mee/ — Japanese
How to Say Good Night in Japanese
Ending the day in Japanese is gentle and warm — Oyasumi wishes someone good rest as they head to sleep, in casual and polite forms.
The Phrase
おやすみ — Oyasumi — pronounced oh-yah-soo-mee
It comes from 休む (yasumu, “to rest”), so you’re essentially wishing the person good rest.
Copy the Phrase
The Japanese word for “good night” is おやすみ (Oyasumi, oh-yah-soo-mee) casually, or おやすみなさい (Oyasuminasai) politely.
Casual vs. Polite
| Japanese | Romaji | Politeness |
|---|---|---|
| おやすみ | Oyasumi | Casual — family, close friends, partners |
| おやすみなさい | Oyasuminasai | Polite — elders, less familiar people |
The -nasai ending adds politeness. Among loved ones, the shorter Oyasumi is warm and natural.
When to Use It
Oyasumi(nasai) is said specifically when going to bed or parting for the night when you’re both heading to sleep. It is not a general evening greeting.
| Situation | Japanese |
|---|---|
| Meeting someone in the evening | こんばんは (Konbanwa) — good evening |
| Parting to go to sleep | おやすみ(なさい) (Oyasumi) — good night |
Don’t mix these up — Konbanwa greets, Oyasumi sends off to sleep.
What It Literally Means
The root 休む (yasumu) means “to rest” or “to take a break.” With the honorific o- prefix, Oyasumi warmly wishes someone good rest. The same root gives 休み (yasumi) — a holiday, break, or day off.
”Sweet Dreams” in Japanese
Japanese has no direct everyday “sweet dreams.” Oyasumi itself carries the warm bedtime sentiment. If you want to add a wish:
いい夢を — Ii yume o — “have good dreams”
But usually, a warm Oyasumi is the complete, natural bedtime send-off.
Pronunciation Recap
- Oyasumi — oh-yah-soo-mee (four even syllables; light “su”)
- Oyasuminasai — oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sai (add -nasai for politeness)
The Evening-to-Night Sequence
| Time | Japanese | Romaji | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evening greeting | こんばんは | Konbanwa | Good evening (hello) |
| Going to sleep | おやすみ | Oyasumi | Good night (farewell) |
| “Good dreams” (optional) | いい夢を | Ii yume o | Sweet dreams |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Oyasumi?
'Oyasumi' is pronounced oh-yah-soo-mee (おやすみ). Four syllables: o-ya-su-mi. The 'su' is light (the 'u' is somewhat reduced). Keep the syllables even. The polite form 'Oyasuminasai' adds -nasai (nah-sai): oh-yah-soo-mee-nah-sai. Both are gentle, soft-sounding phrases fitting for a bedtime farewell.
What is the difference between Oyasumi and Oyasuminasai?
Politeness. 'Oyasumi' (おやすみ) is casual — used with family, close friends, and partners. 'Oyasuminasai' (おやすみなさい) is the polite form — used with elders, people you're less familiar with, or to show respect. The '-nasai' ending adds formality/politeness. Among loved ones, the shorter 'Oyasumi' is warm and natural.
What does Oyasumi literally mean?
'Oyasumi' comes from the verb 'yasumu' (休む), meaning 'to rest' or 'to take a break,' with the honorific 'o-' prefix. So it essentially means 'rest well' — you're wishing the person good rest as they go to sleep. The same root appears in 'yasumi' (休み) meaning a holiday, break, or day off.
When do you say Oyasumi?
'Oyasumi(nasai)' is said specifically when going to bed or when parting for the night (knowing you're both heading to sleep). It's NOT a general evening greeting — for greeting someone in the evening, use 'Konbanwa' (こんばんは, good evening). So: 'Konbanwa' when you meet in the evening, 'Oyasumi' when you part to sleep.
How do you say sweet dreams in Japanese?
Japanese doesn't have a direct everyday equivalent of 'sweet dreams' the way English does — 'Oyasumi' covers the warm bedtime sentiment. If you want to add something, 'Ii yume o' (いい夢を) means 'have good dreams' (literally 'good dreams [to you]'). But typically a warm 'Oyasumi' is the complete, natural bedtime send-off.