How to Say Goodnight in Russian
There are many ways to say “Спокойной ночи” (Good night) in Russian. Some of them are stylistically neutral, and you can use them in any situation. Others can be used only when addressing close people: relatives, friends.
Neutral ways to say «Спокойной ночи!»
Спокойной ночи
This is one of the most common ways to address a person who goes to sleep. In Russia, there is even a children’s TV show “Спокойной ночи, малыши” (Good Night, kids), which has been airing for almost 60 years.
Pronounced like: [спако́йнай но́ч’и] / [spakóynay nóch’i].
English variant — Good night!
Usage example: Я очень устал. Сегодня лягу пораньше. — Хорошо. Спокойной ночи! — I am very tired. I’m going to bed early today. — OK. Good night!
Доброй ночи
This is a more formal and polite form. You can say “доброй ночи” to both your family members and, for example, your mother’s friends who have come to your city on business and are at your home.
Pronounced like: [до́брай но́ч’и] / [dóbray nóch’i].
English variant — Have a good night!
Please note that this phrase is similar to “доброе утро” or “добрый день”, but you should not use “good night” as a greeting, usually it is a good night wish.
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Хорошего отдыха
This phrase can have several meanings. Most often it is used when someone goes on vacation, to a party, on a visit, and you wish him to have a good time. But отдых also means resting, so it would be quite appropriate to say “Хорошего отдыха!” before going to bed.
Pronounced like: [харо́шыва о́тдыха] / [haróshyva ótdyha].
English variant — Have a good/nice rest!
Usage example: Уже поздно. Всем пора спать. — Хорошего отдыха! Увидимся завтра. — It’s already late. It’s time for everyone to sleep. — Have a nice rest! See you tomorrow.
Приятных снов / сновидений
What happens to people when they sleep? They dream. And a good wish before going to bed would be to have pleasant dreams.
Pronounced like: [пр’ийа́тных сноф] / [pr’iyа́tnyh snof].
English variant — Sweet dreams!
You can use other variants of phrases with the same meaning: спокойного сна, спи хорошо. But avoid the phrase “Спи спокойно!” (rest in peace), because it is most often used during funerals when addressing a deceased person as a wish for a strong eternal sleep.
Крепких снов
This expression is similar to the previous one, but in this case you do not wish for any dreams, you wish for the other person to have a good night of sleep.
Pronounced like: [кр’э́пких сноф] / [kr’epkih snof].
English variant— Sleep tight!
Usage example: Мне нужно выспаться, у меня завтра сложный день. — Крепких снов! — I need to sleep, I have a difficult day tomorrow. — Sleep tight!
Informal ways to say good night
Сладких снов
This phrase is an analogue of “Приятного сна!”, but more informal, suitable for use in a very close circle. You can also say “Спи сладко!”
Pronounced like: [спи сла́тка] / [spi slа́tka].
English variant — Sweet dreams!
Usage example: Мама, я уже почти сплю! — Сладких снов, мой зайчик! — Mom, I’m almost asleep! — Sweet dreams, my bunny!
Споки
To say good night colloquially, take the first word of the neutral phrase “спокойной ночи”, separate the “спок” and add the letter “и”. So you get “споки”. No, it has nothing to do with spooky , although it sounds similar.
Pronounced like: [спо́ки] / [spóki].
English variant — Night-night!
Usage example: Я отключаюсь, завтра спишемся. — Споки! — I’m off! I’ll write you tomorrow. — Night!
Спкнч
When young people chat in social networks, you can also find this option. It’s just an abbreviation of the full “Спокойной ночи!”
There is no need to try to pronounce this word, but if you really want to, then it is pronounced that way, according to the letters that are written.
Выспись хорошенько!
This phrase is suitable if you need to put additional meaning into the wish, for example, you know that a person is going to have an important event and he needs to have a good rest. And for this we always need a good and sound night of sleep.
Pronounced like: [вы́спис’ харашэ́н’ка] / [výspis’ harashen’ka].
Englih variant — Sleep well!
Usage example: У тебя завтра важное собеседование. Выспись хорошенько! — You have an important interview tomorrow. Sleep well!
And a few more phrases that can replace a simple “good night” and diversify your speech when communicating with people who are especially important to you. They all have a similar meaning, to wish a good night of sleep:
- Волшебных сновидений! — Magic dreams!
- Легкого сна! — Easy sleep!
- Пусть ничто не потревожит твой сон! — Let nothing disturb your sle
- Желаю отлично выспаться! — I wish you good sleep!
- Встретимся во сне! — See you in a dream!
- Красочных сновидений! — Colorful dreams!
- Пусть в эту темную ночь тебе придут светлые сны! — May bright dreams come to you on this dark night!
Good sleep is important for our physical and mental health! May your dreams always be strong and pleasant!
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