How to Say Goodnight in French (Bonne Nuit and More)

Maybe you're trying to impress someone special, or just building your vocabulary for an upcoming trip to Paris. The basic answer is "bonne nuit," but there's actually more to it than that. French has different ways to say goodnight depending on the context, your relationship with the person, and whether they're actually heading to bed or just leaving for the evening. Let me walk you through everything you need to know for learning French good night.🌃

The basic translation: bonne nuit

The standard way to say good night in French is "bonne nuit" (Pronounced "bun nwee"). This literally translates to "good night" and works in most situations where you're wishing someone a peaceful sleep.

The pronunciation breaks down like this: "bonne" sounds like "bun" (Rhymes with "done"), and "nuit" sounds like "nwee" (The "n" is soft and nasal). If you want the IPA transcription, it's /bɔn nɥi/. Don't stress too much about getting it perfect right away. French speakers will understand you even if your accent isn't spot-on.

Here's the thing though: you only use "bonne nuit" when someone is actually going to bed. If you're leaving a dinner party at 9 PM and everyone's still awake, saying "bonne nuit" would be weird. That's where other phrases come in.

How to respond when someone says bonne nuit

When someone wishes you "bonne nuit," the easiest response is just "bonne nuit" back. Simple and natural.

You can also say "toi aussi" (You too) or "vous aussi" for the formal version. So "bonne nuit, toi aussi" works perfectly.

"Merci, toi aussi" (Thanks, you too) is another common response.

With close friends or family, you might add "bisous" (Kisses) or "à demain" (See you tomorrow) to your response.

When to use bonne nuit vs. bonne soirée for good evening in French

This trips up a lot of French learners. The difference between "bonne nuit" and "bonne soirée" isn't random, it's all about timing and context.

Use "bonne nuit" when:

Use "bonne soirée" when:

"Bonne soirée" literally means "good evening" and it's about wishing someone well for the evening hours ahead, not for sleeping. Think of it this way: if they're going to do more activities before bed, use "bonne soirée." If they're done for the day and heading to sleep, use "bonne nuit."

Does "bonsoir" mean good night in French

Nope. "Bonsoir" is a greeting, not a farewell. It means "good evening" and you use it when you arrive somewhere or meet someone after around 6 PM. It's the evening equivalent of "bonjour."

So if you walk into a restaurant at 8 PM, you'd say "bonsoir" to the host. When you leave that same restaurant, you'd say "bonne soirée" (if it's still evening) or "bonne nuit" (if it's really late and you're heading home to sleep).

People mix these up all the time when learning French, but French speakers use them very differently.

Casual ways to say good night in French

Want to sound more natural with friends? French has plenty of casual ways to wish someone good night.

For something even more casual, young people might just say "bonne nuit" shortened in texts as "bonne nt" or even just "nuit." In spoken French among close friends, you might hear "bonne nuit, bisous" (Good night, kisses) or "bonne nuit, à demain" (Good night, see you tomorrow).

Romantic ways to say good night

Saying good night to someone you're dating or your partner? French has you covered with some sweeter options.

Here's something you'll see in French texts: "Je pense à toi" (I'm thinking of you) often gets added before "bonne nuit" when texting someone special.

What French people actually say to go to bed

In real French households, bedtime phrases vary by region and family, but some patterns show up everywhere.

Parents typically say "au lit" (To bed) when telling kids it's bedtime. Then comes "bonne nuit" with kisses on both cheeks. Many families add "dors bien" or "fais de beaux rêves."

Roommates or family members heading to bed at different times usually just say "bonne nuit" or "je vais me coucher" (I'm going to bed). If you're staying with a French host family, saying "je vais me coucher, bonne nuit" lets everyone know you're heading to your room.

In Paris or other French cities, you'll hear the same phrases. There isn't a special Parisian way to say good night. The language stays consistent across France, though some regional expressions exist in places like Quebec (where they might say "bonne nuit là" with "là" as a casual addition) or in African French-speaking countries.

Common French expressions related to sleep and bedtime

Learning French means picking up phrases that naturally go together with saying good night.

Regional variations and slang

Standard French uses "bonne nuit" everywhere, but regional French has some fun variations.

In Quebec, you might hear "bonne nuit là" or "fais de beaux rêves là," where "là" is just a casual filler word Quebecois speakers add to lots of phrases.

Some older French speakers or people from rural areas might use "que Dieu te bénisse" (May God bless you) before bed, though this is becoming less common.

In French-speaking African countries, you'll hear the standard phrases but often mixed with local language expressions depending on the country.

French slang for sleep includes "roupiller" (To snooze), "pioncer" (To crash), and "se pieuter" (To hit the sack). So a very casual way to say you're going to bed might be "je vais pioncer."

Cultural context around French bedtime

French culture has some interesting approaches to sleep and bedtime that affect how these phrases get used.

French people tend to eat dinner later than Americans, often around 8 or 9 PM. This means "bonne soirée" gets used later into the evening than you might expect.

The French "bise" (Cheek kiss greeting) happens at bedtime too in families. Kids go around giving everyone bisous before heading to bed.

In French schools, kids learn polite greetings and farewells early. Saying "bonne nuit" properly is part of basic manners.

French bedtime stories often end with "et ils vécurent heureux" (and they lived happily), followed by parents saying "fais de beaux rêves" to their kids. It's a sweet tradition.

Common mistakes to avoid

English speakers make some predictable errors with French goodnight phrases.

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Next step? Get used to your toolkit of greetings!

The key is matching your phrase to the context. Pay attention to whether people are heading to bed or just ending their evening activities. Listen to how native French speakers use these expressions and you'll develop a natural feel for when to use each one.

Before you know it, you'll be wishing people "bonne nuit" without even thinking about it.😴