Dictionary / Japanese / Good night
How to Say "Good night" in Japanese
おやすみなさい
oyasuminasai
Literally: Please rest
Polite or casual
Politeおやすみなさい
Casualおやすみ
Say おやすみ to family and friends and おやすみなさい to anyone else. To greet someone in the evening, Japanese uses こんばんは (konbanwa), good evening.
The mistake to avoid. In English, "good night" can be a greeting or a goodbye. おやすみなさい is only for going to bed or parting late at night. When you arrive somewhere in the evening, say こんばんは.
In context
おやすみ、また明日。
Oyasumi, mata ashita.
Good night, see you tomorrow.
もう寝ます。おやすみなさい。
Mō nemasu. Oyasuminasai.
I'm going to bed now. Good night.
こんばんは、お元気ですか。
Konbanwa, ogenki desu ka.
Good evening, how are you?