If you’ve ever wondered how to say goodnight in French, this guide makes it easy.
Learning bonne nuit and its variations will help you sound more natural when speaking with French speakers — whether it’s in a friendly, polite, or romantic context.
Just like English, French has many ways to wish someone a peaceful night.
Some are sweet, others are flirty, and a few are perfect for texting.
Let’s explore them all — step by step.
🌙 Quick Answer
Translation: Bonne nuit
Pronunciation: bun nwee
Cultural Note: In French, saying bonne nuit is more than just “goodnight.” It often expresses warmth, affection, and care, especially among close friends, partners, and family.
🌟 What Bonne Nuit Really Means
The phrase bonne nuit literally means:
- bonne = good (feminine form)
- nuit = night
So the phrase translates directly to “good night.”
However, in French culture, bonne nuit is not usually used until someone is actually about to sleep.
In other words:
You say bonne nuit when:
✔ The conversation is ending
✔ Someone is going to bed
✔ The day is officially over
You do not say it as a casual evening greeting.
For that, French people say:
Bonsoir — Good evening (used to greet someone after sunset).
💐 20 Polite Ways to Say “Goodnight” in French
These phrases are ideal for family, acquaintances, neighbors, coworkers, and polite conversation — warm, friendly, and respectful.
| French Phrase | Pronunciation | Meaning / Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Bonne nuit | bun nwee | Goodnight |
| Passe une bonne nuit | pass oon bun nwee | Have a good night |
| Dors bien | dor byen | Sleep well (friendly) |
| Repose-toi bien | reh-pohz twah byen | Rest well |
| À demain | ah duh-mahn | See you tomorrow |
| Fais de beaux rêves | fay duh boh reh-v | Sweet dreams (polite) |
| Je te souhaite une nuit paisible | zhuh tuh soo-et oon nwee pay-zee-bl | I wish you a peaceful night |
| Bonne nuit à tous | bun nwee ah toos | Goodnight, everyone |
| Profite de ton repos | pro-feet duh ton reh-poh | Enjoy your rest |
| Que ta nuit soit douce | keh tah nwee swah doos | May your night be gentle |
💡 Pro Tip: You can add names for warmth:
Bonne nuit, Marie. (Goodnight, Marie.)
😄 10 Funny or Casual Ways to Say Goodnight in French
These expressions are great for close friends, gaming buddies, or group chats.
| French Slang / Casual | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Bonne nuit les amis ! | Goodnight friends! | Group chats / friendly |
| Allez, dodo ! | Time for bed! | Cute, playful |
| Fais dodo | Sleepy time | Used for kids / affectionate |
| À plus dans le bus | See you later (joking rhyme) | Informal humor |
| Bonne nuit, champion ! | Goodnight, champ! | Friendly teasing |
| Dors comme un bébé | Sleep like a baby | Encouraging rest |
| Ciao, bonne nuit | Night, bye! | Very casual |
| J’vais pioncer | I’m gonna crash | Slang / youth |
| À demain la team ! | See you tomorrow team! | Group sign off |
| Bonne nuit et bonne chance | Goodnight & good luck | Playful / ironic |
Use these only in situations where humor is welcome.
💬 How to Use “Goodnight” in Real Conversation
Knowing the phrase is great — but using it smoothly makes you sound natural.
⭐ Everyday Conversation (Friendly Tone)
Emma: Il est tard.
(It’s late.)Lucas: Oui. Bonne nuit, Emma.
(Yes. Goodnight, Emma.)Emma: Bonne nuit ! À demain.
(Goodnight! See you tomorrow.)
⭐ Romantic or Cute Conversation
Mon amour: Dors bien et fais de beaux rêves.
(Sleep well and have sweet dreams.)Toi: Bonne nuit, je pense à toi.
(Goodnight, I’m thinking of you.)
French is often soft, gentle, and emotional.
Small words carry great affection.
💌 How to Write a Goodnight Text or Message in French
If you’re texting someone special, you can make your message warm and sweet.
Example Message for a Loved One:
Bonne nuit, mon cœur. Dors bien. Je suis heureux(se) de t’avoir dans ma vie.
(Goodnight my love. Sleep well. I’m happy to have you in my life.)
Short & Cute Texts:
- BN → short for bonne nuit
- Dodo → bedtime cuteness
- Bisous → kisses
- 💤 → universal sleep emoji
💞 Romantic Goodnight Phrases in French
French is known as the language of love — so it’s no surprise that there are romantic goodnight expressions.
| French Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bonne nuit, mon amour | Goodnight, my love |
| Tu me manques déjà | I miss you already |
| J’aimerais être avec toi | I wish I were with you |
| Je pense à toi | I’m thinking of you |
| À demain, ma belle / mon beau | See you tomorrow, beautiful / handsome |
| Dors contre moi | Sleep next to me (intimate) |
Use gently — French romance is tender, not intense.
🌍 Cultural Notes: How French People Say Goodnight
Unlike English speakers, French people usually only say bonne nuit when it’s bedtime.
They don’t say it when leaving restaurants, ending early evening calls, or meeting after sunset.
Instead:
| Time / Moment | Common Expression |
|---|---|
| Evening greeting | Bonsoir |
| Ending conversation early | Bonne soirée (Have a good evening) |
| Going to sleep | Bonne nuit |
Key Difference:
- Bonne soirée → When the evening continues.
- Bonne nuit → When the day is done & sleep is next.
This distinction helps you sound truly natural.
⚠️ Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
| Mistake | Why It’s Wrong | Correct Form |
|---|---|---|
| Saying “bon nuit” | Nuit is feminine → needs bonne | bonne nuit |
| Saying bonne nuit too early | Used only at sleep time | Use bonsoir or bonne soirée instead |
| Forgetting accent: nuit ≠ nuit | No accent needed → but pronunciation matters | Practice nwee sound |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the most common way to say goodnight in French?
The most common and standard phrase is “Bonne nuit”, which means “Goodnight.” It is used when someone is going to sleep.
2. Do French people say “Bonsoir” or “Bonne nuit”?
- Bonsoir means Good evening, and it is used as a greeting.
- Bonne nuit means Goodnight, and is used when the day ends and someone is going to sleep.
3. How do you say “Sleep well” in French?
You can say “Dors bien” (friendly) or “Repose-toi bien” (polite).
4. How do you say “Sweet dreams” in French?
Use “Fais de beaux rêves.”
5. How do you say goodnight romantically in French?
You can say:
- Bonne nuit, mon amour — Goodnight, my love
- Je pense à toi — I’m thinking of you
- Tu me manques déjà — I already miss you
6. Can I say “Bonne nuit” in the evening if someone is not going to sleep yet?
No.
Use “Bonne soirée” instead.
Bonne nuit is only used when sleep is next.
🏁 Short Summary
| French Phrase | Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Bonsoir | Good evening | Greeting after sunset |
| Bonne soirée | Have a good evening | When evening is still ongoing |
| Bonne nuit | Goodnight | When going to sleep |
✅ Conclusion
Learning how to say goodnight in French is more than memorizing a single phrase.
It’s about understanding when and how to use it naturally.
You now know that:
- Bonne nuit is used only when someone is about to sleep.
- Bonsoir and Bonne soirée are used earlier in the evening.
- There are many ways to say goodnight politely, casually, or romantically.
- A small phrase, when spoken warmly, can create deeper emotional connection.
So whether you’re texting someone special, chatting with friends, or practicing French culture, you can now say bonne nuit with confidence — and a bit of French charm. 🌙✨
Bonne nuit — sleep well. 💙
