Good Night In Japanese: Oyasumi, Oyasuminasai, And 50 Easy Bedtime Phrases

Learn おやすみ (Oyasumi) and おやすみなさい (Oyasuminasai), plus the bedtime Japanese people actually use in texts, calls, family chats, and late-night goodbyes.

Why This Tiny Phrase Trips People Up

The first time I tried to say “good night” in Japanese, I used こんばんは (Konbanwa) right before hanging up the phone. It was night, so my brain felt very proud of itself for about three seconds. Then it dawned on me that I had basically said “good evening” when what I meant was “sleep well.” Spectacularly almost right. The most dangerous kind of right.

The good news is that Japanese is actually kind here. For most bedtime situations, you only need two core phrases: おやすみ (Oyasumi) for casual use and おやすみなさい (Oyasuminasai) for polite use. After that, it is just a matter of sounding warm, natural, and slightly less like a textbook that has never felt sleep deprivation.

Yak Truth: こんばんは (Konbanwa) greets the evening. おやすみ (Oyasumi) sends someone off to bed. One says, “Hello, night.” The other says, “Please go be horizontal now.” Tiny difference. Huge vibe shift.

The One Answer You Need First

Situation	Japanese	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example	Translation
Friend, sibling, partner	お休み	Oyasumi	Good night / Night	もう遅いね。お休み。 Mou osoi ne. Oyasumi.	It’s late. Good night.
Teacher, boss, older person, polite message	お休みなさい	Oyasuminasai	Good night	今日はありがとうございました。お休みなさい。 Kyou wa arigatou gozaimashita. Oyasuminasai.	Thank you for today. Good night.
You are just greeting someone in the evening	今晩は	Konbanwa	Good evening	こんばんは。まだ起きてる？ Konbanwa. Mada okiteru?	Good evening. Are you still awake?

Quick rule: if somebody is actually going to sleep, use おやすみ (Oyasumi) or おやすみなさい (Oyasuminasai). If the night is just starting and nobody is going to bed yet, use こんばんは (Konbanwa).

Writing note: you will often see these as おやすみ and おやすみなさい in hiragana, especially in texts. The kanji forms お休み and お休みなさい also exist and are perfectly understandable.

When To Use Oyasumi Vs. Konbanwa

おやすみ (Oyasumi) and おやすみなさい (Oyasuminasai) are for the end of the night: bedtime, a late-night phone call, a final text before sleeping, or a late parting when the whole vibe is clearly “we are done for today.”

こんばんは (Konbanwa) is an evening greeting. You use it when you meet someone at night, not when you are tucking the conversation into bed.

Also, Japanese does not have fifty equally common everyday ways to say plain old “good night.” Real life mostly circles around おやすみ and おやすみなさい, then adds warmth with phrases like いい夢見てね (Ii yume mite ne, “sweet dreams”) or また明日 (Mata ashita, “see you tomorrow”). Nice. Efficient. Slightly smug.

Form	Rōmaji	Register	Best Use	Example	Translation
お休み	Oyasumi	Casual	Friends, family, partner	先に寝るね。お休み。 Saki ni neru ne. Oyasumi.	I’m going to sleep first. Good night.
お休みなさい	Oyasuminasai	Polite	Boss, teacher, older person, formal tone	失礼します。お休みなさい。 Shitsurei shimasu. Oyasuminasai.	I’ll take my leave. Good night.
今晩は	Konbanwa	Neutral / polite	Evening greeting	こんばんは。今日は寒いですね。 Konbanwa. Kyou wa samui desu ne.	Good evening. It’s cold today, isn’t it?
良い夢を	Yoi yume o	Warm	Sweet, kind, text-friendly	試験は終わったし、良い夢を。 Shiken wa owatta shi, yoi yume o.	The exam is over, so sweet dreams.
また明日	Mata ashita	Neutral	When you will see or text again tomorrow	お休み、また明日。 Oyasumi, mata ashita.	Good night, see you tomorrow.

Visual Cards You’ll Actually Use

お休み

Oyasumi
Good night (casual)

もう遅いね。お休み。
Mou osoi ne. Oyasumi.
It’s late. Good night.

お休みなさい

Oyasuminasai
Good night (polite)

今日はありがとうございました。お休みなさい。
Kyou wa arigatou gozaimashita. Oyasuminasai.
Thank you for today. Good night.

先に寝るね

Saki Ni Neru Ne
I’m Going To Sleep First

まだ起きてる？私は先に寝るね。
Mada okiteru? Watashi wa saki ni neru ne.
Are you still awake? I’m going to sleep first.

いい夢見てね

Ii Yume Mite Ne
Sweet Dreams

大変だったね。いい夢見てね。
Taihen datta ne. Ii yume mite ne.
That was a rough day. Sweet dreams.

また明日

Mata Ashita
See You Tomorrow

お休み。また明日。
Oyasumi. Mata ashita.
Good night. See you tomorrow.

今晩は

Konbanwa
Good Evening

こんばんは。今日はどうだった？
Konbanwa. Kyou wa dou datta?
Good evening. How was today?

眠い

Nemui
Sleepy

ごはんの後はいつも眠い。
Gohan no ato wa itsumo nemui.
I’m always sleepy after dinner.

夜更かし

Yofukashi
Staying Up Late

明日早いのに、夜更かししちゃった。
Ashita hayai no ni, yofukashi shichatta.
I stayed up late even though I have an early morning tomorrow.

Useful Phrases And Real-Life Sentences

Situation	Japanese	Rōmaji	Translation
Texting A Friend Before Bed	そろそろ寝るね。お休み。	Sorosoro neru ne. Oyasumi.	I’m heading to bed. Good night.
Leaving A Family Chat	先に寝るね。お休み。	Saki ni neru ne. Oyasumi.	I’m going to sleep first. Good night.
Talking To A Teacher Or Boss	今日はありがとうございました。お休みなさい。	Kyou wa arigatou gozaimashita. Oyasuminasai.	Thank you for today. Good night.
Late-Night Office Sign-Off	今日はこれで失礼します。お休みなさい。	Kyou wa kore de shitsurei shimasu. Oyasuminasai.	I’ll take my leave for today. Good night.
Warm Message To A Partner	いい夢見てね。お休み。	Ii yume mite ne. Oyasumi.	Sweet dreams. Good night.
Checking On A Sick Friend	無理しないで、ゆっくり休んでね。	Muri shinai de, yukkuri yasunde ne.	Don’t push yourself; get some good rest.
Parting Late At Night	気をつけて帰ってね。また明日。	Ki o tsukete kaette ne. Mata ashita.	Get home safe. See you tomorrow.
About To Pass Out	ごめん、寝落ちしそう。もう寝るね。	Gomen, neochi shisou. Mou neru ne.	Sorry, I’m about to doze off. I’m going to sleep now.
Helping Someone Before A Big Day	今夜は早く寝てね。	Kon’ya wa hayaku nete ne.	Sleep early tonight.
Just Greeting Someone At Night	こんばんは。まだ起きてる？	Konbanwa. Mada okiteru?	Good evening. Are you still awake?

Common Mistakes And Fast Fixes

Mistake: Saying こんばんは (Konbanwa) when someone is literally going to bed.
Fix: Use お休み (Oyasumi) or お休みなさい (Oyasuminasai).
Mistake: Using casual お休み (Oyasumi) with your boss, teacher, or someone you should be polite to.
Fix: Use お休みなさい (Oyasuminasai).
Mistake: Thinking you need a magical list of twenty standard “good night” greetings.
Fix: Learn the two main forms first, then add warmth with いい夢見てね (Ii yume mite ne) or また明日 (Mata ashita).
Mistake: Believing kanji is mandatory.
Fix: Kana is extremely normal in messages: おやすみ, おやすみなさい.
Mistake: Using romantic lines like 夢で会おう (Yume de aou) with just anyone.
Fix: Save that for people who will find it sweet, not alarming.

Grouped Tables Of Words And Phrases

Core Good Night Phrases

Kanji	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example (JP)	Example (Rōmaji)	Translation (EN)
お休み	Oyasumi	Good night / Night (casual)	もう遅いね。お休み。	Mou osoi ne. Oyasumi.	It’s late. Good night.
お休みなさい	Oyasuminasai	Good night (polite)	今日はありがとうございました。お休みなさい。	Kyou wa arigatou gozaimashita. Oyasuminasai.	Thank you for today. Good night.
先に寝るね	Saki ni neru ne	I’m going to sleep first	まだ仕事ある？私は先に寝るね。	Mada shigoto aru? Watashi wa saki ni neru ne.	Do you still have work? I’m going to sleep first.
そろそろ寝るね	Sorosoro neru ne	I’m heading to bed soon	明日早いから、そろそろ寝るね。	Ashita hayai kara, sorosoro neru ne.	I have an early start tomorrow, so I’m heading to bed.
もう寝るね	Mou neru ne	I’m going to sleep now	眠すぎる。もう寝るね。	Nemusugiru. Mou neru ne.	I’m way too sleepy. I’m going to sleep now.
いい夢見てね	Ii yume mite ne	Sweet dreams	試験は終わったし、いい夢見てね。	Shiken wa owatta shi, ii yume mite ne.	The exam is over, so sweet dreams.
良く寝てね	Yoku nete ne	Sleep well	今日は疲れたでしょ。良く寝てね。	Kyou wa tsukareta desho. Yoku nete ne.	You must be tired today. Sleep well.
ぐっすり寝てね	Gussuri nete ne	Sleep tight / Sleep soundly	暖かくして、ぐっすり寝てね。	Atatakaku shite, gussuri nete ne.	Keep warm and sleep soundly.
ゆっくり休んでね	Yukkuri yasunde ne	Get some good rest	風邪っぽいから、ゆっくり休んでね。	Kazeppoi kara, yukkuri yasunde ne.	You seem to be catching a cold, so get some rest.
また明日	Mata ashita	See you tomorrow	お休み、また明日。	Oyasumi, mata ashita.	Good night, see you tomorrow.

Polite And Late-Night Expressions

Kanji	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example (JP)	Example (Rōmaji)	Translation (EN)
お先に失礼します	Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu	Excuse me, I’ll leave first	もう休みます。お先に失礼します。	Mou yasumimasu. Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu.	I’m going to turn in. Excuse me, I’ll leave first.
今日はありがとうございました	Kyou wa arigatou gozaimashita	Thank you for today	今日はありがとうございました。お休みなさい。	Kyou wa arigatou gozaimashita. Oyasuminasai.	Thank you for today. Good night.
お疲れさまでした	Otsukaresama deshita	Thanks for your hard work	長い一日でしたね。お疲れさまでした。	Nagai ichinichi deshita ne. Otsukaresama deshita.	It was a long day. Thanks for your hard work.
お気をつけて	Oki o tsukete	Take care	夜道だから、お気をつけて。	Yomichi da kara, oki o tsukete.	It’s a dark road, so take care.
もう遅いですね	Mou osoi desu ne	It’s already late	もう遅いですね。そろそろ休みましょう。	Mou osoi desu ne. Sorosoro yasumimashou.	It’s already late. Let’s call it a night soon.
明日も早いですね	Ashita mo hayai desu ne	Tomorrow is early too	明日も早いですね。お休みなさい。	Ashita mo hayai desu ne. Oyasuminasai.	Tomorrow is early too. Good night.
良く休んでください	Yoku yasunde kudasai	Please get good rest	無理しないで、良く休んでください。	Muri shinai de, yoku yasunde kudasai.	Don’t push yourself; please get some good rest.
お大事に	Odaiji ni	Take care / Get well soon	熱があるなら、お大事に。	Netsu ga aru nara, odaiji ni.	If you have a fever, take care.
夜分遅くにすみません	Yabun osoku ni sumimasen	Sorry for contacting you so late	夜分遅くにすみません。明日の件だけ確認です。	Yabun osoku ni sumimasen. Ashita no ken dake kakunin desu.	Sorry for contacting you so late. I just want to confirm one thing about tomorrow.
失礼します	Shitsurei shimasu	Excuse me / Goodbye (polite)	今日はこれで失礼します。お休みなさい。	Kyou wa kore de shitsurei shimasu. Oyasuminasai.	I’ll take my leave for today. Good night.

Warm, Texting, And Affectionate Phrases

Kanji	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example (JP)	Example (Rōmaji)	Translation (EN)
良い夢を	Yoi yume o	Sweet dreams / Have good dreams	明日はきっとうまくいくよ。良い夢を。	Ashita wa kitto umaku iku yo. Yoi yume o.	Tomorrow will go well. Sweet dreams.
夢で会おう	Yume de aou	See you in my dreams	今日はもう寝るね。夢で会おう。	Kyou wa mou neru ne. Yume de aou.	I’m going to sleep now. See you in my dreams.
眠れますように	Nemuremasu you ni	I hope you can sleep	緊張してると思うけど、今夜は眠れますように。	Kinchou shiteru to omou kedo, kon’ya wa nemuremasu you ni.	I know you’re nervous, but I hope you can sleep tonight.
寝落ちしそう	Neochi shisou	I’m about to doze off	ごめん、寝落ちしそう。先にお休み。	Gomen, neochi shisou. Saki ni oyasumi.	Sorry, I’m about to doze off. Good night for now.
もう限界です	Mou genkai desu	I’m at my limit / Dead tired	今日はもう限界です。お休みなさい。	Kyou wa mou genkai desu. Oyasuminasai.	I’m totally done for today. Good night.
布団に入るね	Futon ni hairu ne	I’m getting into bed	寒いから、もう布団に入るね。	Samui kara, mou futon ni hairu ne.	It’s cold, so I’m getting into bed now.
電気を消すね	Denki o kesu ne	I’m turning off the light	じゃあ、電気を消すね。お休み。	Jaa, denki o kesu ne. Oyasumi.	Okay, I’m turning off the light. Good night.
明日連絡するね	Ashita renraku suru ne	I’ll message you tomorrow	眠いから、明日連絡するね。お休み。	Nemui kara, ashita renraku suru ne. Oyasumi.	I’m sleepy, so I’ll message you tomorrow. Good night.
大好きだよ	Daisuki da yo	I really like you / Love ya	大好きだよ。お休み。	Daisuki da yo. Oyasumi.	Love ya. Good night.
今夜は早く寝てね	Kon’ya wa hayaku nete ne	Sleep early tonight	明日大事な日でしょ。今夜は早く寝てね。	Ashita daiji na hi desho. Kon’ya wa hayaku nete ne.	Tomorrow is important, right? Sleep early tonight.

Sleep Verbs And Bedtime Basics

Kanji	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example (JP)	Example (Rōmaji)	Translation (EN)
休む	Yasumu	To rest	今日はもう休む。	Kyou wa mou yasumu.	I’m going to rest for the day.
寝る	Neru	To sleep / Go to bed	子どもは九時に寝る。	Kodomo wa kuji ni neru.	The child goes to bed at nine.
眠る	Nemuru	To sleep	赤ちゃんが静かに眠っている。	Akachan ga shizuka ni nemutte iru.	The baby is sleeping quietly.
眠い	Nemui	Sleepy	会議中なのに、すごく眠い。	Kaigi-chuu na no ni, sugoku nemui.	I’m so sleepy even though I’m in a meeting.
睡眠	Suimin	Sleep	睡眠は本当に大事です。	Suimin wa hontou ni daiji desu.	Sleep is really important.
目を閉じる	Me o tojiru	To close your eyes	何も考えずに、目を閉じてみて。	Nani mo kangaezu ni, me o tojite mite.	Try closing your eyes without thinking about anything.
布団	Futon	Futon / Bedding	新しい布団はふかふかだ。	Atarashii futon wa fukafuka da.	The new futon is fluffy.
枕	Makura	Pillow	この枕は少し高い。	Kono makura wa sukoshi takai.	This pillow is a little high.
毛布	Moufu	Blanket	夜は冷えるから、毛布を一枚足そう。	Yoru wa hieru kara, moufu o ichimai tasou.	It gets cold at night, so let’s add a blanket.
夜更かし	Yofukashi	Staying up late	明日早いのに、夜更かししちゃった。	Ashita hayai no ni, yofukashi shichatta.	I stayed up late even though I have an early morning tomorrow.

Helpful Sleep And Night Vocabulary

Kanji	Rōmaji	Meaning	Example (JP)	Example (Rōmaji)	Translation (EN)
今夜	Kon’ya	Tonight	今夜は良く眠れそうだ。	Kon’ya wa yoku nemuresou da.	I think I’ll sleep well tonight.
夜中	Yonaka	Middle of the night	夜中に目が覚めた。	Yonaka ni me ga sameta.	I woke up in the middle of the night.
深夜	Shin’ya	Late at night / Midnight hours	深夜にラーメンを食べると危険だ。	Shin’ya ni raamen o taberu to kiken da.	Eating ramen late at night is dangerous.
朝まで	Asa made	Until morning	映画を見ていたら、朝まで起きていた。	Eiga o mite itara, asa made okite ita.	I stayed up until morning watching movies.
熟睡	Jukusui	Deep sleep	昨夜は久しぶりに熟睡できた。	Sakuya wa hisashiburi ni jukusui dekita.	I got deep sleep last night for the first time in a while.
安眠	Anmin	Restful sleep	静かな音楽で安眠できた。	Shizuka na ongaku de anmin dekita.	I got restful sleep with calm music.
寝不足	Nebusoku	Lack of sleep	寝不足で頭が回らない。	Nebusoku de atama ga mawaranai.	I can’t think clearly because I’m sleep-deprived.
昼寝	Hirune	Nap	昼寝したら少し元気になった。	Hirune shitara sukoshi genki ni natta.	I felt a little better after a nap.
目覚まし	Mezamashi	Alarm clock / Alarm	目覚ましを二つかけた。	Mezamashi o futatsu kaketa.	I set two alarms.
睡魔	Suima	Drowsiness / Sleepiness	食後の睡魔が強すぎる。	Shokugo no suima ga tsuyosugiru.	The post-meal drowsiness is too strong.

Quick Practice

Your friend texts you at midnight and says they are going to bed. What do you reply with?
You are on a work trip, and your older coworker says good night first. Which form should you use?
You meet someone at 7:30 p.m. at a restaurant, and nobody is going home yet. Which greeting fits?
Your partner has a big test tomorrow, and you want to sound kind, not robotic. What could you say?

Tap For The Answers

お休み (Oyasumi) — casual reply to a friend.
お休みなさい (Oyasuminasai) — polite form for an older coworker.
今晩は (Konbanwa) — because it is an evening greeting, not bedtime.
今夜は早く寝てね。 (Kon’ya wa hayaku nete ne.) or いい夢見てね。 (Ii yume mite ne.)

Final Yak Box

If you only memorize three things, make them these: お休み (Oyasumi), お休みなさい (Oyasuminasai), and 今晩は (Konbanwa). That trio covers casual bedtime, polite bedtime, and evening hello. Everything else is just seasoning. Useful seasoning, sure. But still seasoning.