How to Say Good Night in Japanese: Oyasumi, Oyasumi Nasai & Beyond (2026)

The two forms you need: oyasumi vs. oyasumi nasai

Japanese has two evening farewells that English lumps together as "good night." The casual form, おやすみ (oyasumi), is what you say to friends, your partner, your kids, or anyone you’d address with a first name. The polite form, おやすみなさい (oyasumi nasai), adds the honorific 〜なさい and is appropriate for older relatives, your boss, a hotel front desk, or anyone you’re meeting for the first time. When in doubt with adults, default to oyasumi nasai — it’s the safer choice and rarely sounds stiff.

Both phrases come from the verb 休む (yasumu), meaning to rest, take time off, or go to bed. The honorific お (o) at the start is the same prefix used in words like お茶 (ocha, tea) and お風呂 (ofuro, bath) — it adds a layer of politeness baked into the phrase itself.

When to say it

Unlike English, where "good night" usually means "I’m going to bed," Japanese oyasumi is used any time someone is leaving the social scene for the day. You’ll hear it after dinner, when leaving a friend’s house at 10 p.m., or when ending a phone call before sleep. It carries a soft "rest well" meaning — almost like a blessing.

It’s also commonly used at the end of a workday in informal settings — for example, between coworkers leaving the office at the same time. In more formal workplaces, however, お疲れ様でした (otsukaresama deshita, "thanks for your hard work") is preferred over oyasumi nasai.

Written forms: hiragana, kanji, and texting

• Hiragana: おやすみなさい — the form you’ll see in textbooks and most Japanese writing.
• Kanji + hiragana: お休みなさい — uses the kanji 休 (rest). Common in literature, signs, and formal contexts.
• Romaji: oyasumi nasai — used for non-Japanese readers and Latin-keyboard typing.
• Texting: おやすみ〜, お休み〜, or even just 「お休み」 with a moon emoji. The tilde ~ adds a soft, friendly tone.

Variations and slang

• おやすみ〜 (oyasumi~): Casual, drawn-out version used between close friends and couples.
• おやすみんみん (oyasumin-min): Cute, baby-talk-style. Heard among kids or in playful texting.
• おやすみなさいませ (oyasumi nasaimase): Ultra-polite, used in luxury hospitality (ryokan attendants, high-end hotel staff).
• ぐっないと (gunnaito): A katakana borrowing of "good night," used jokingly or in messages.
• 夢で会おう (yume de aō): "Let’s meet in our dreams" — a romantic phrase, not a daily greeting.

How to respond when someone says oyasumi to you

The simplest reply is to say the same phrase back. If your friend says oyasumi, you say oyasumi. If your host family parent says oyasumi nasai, you say oyasumi nasai. Mirroring the level of politeness signals attention and respect. You can also add 良い夢を (yoi yume o, "sweet dreams") for a slightly warmer touch — especially with romantic partners or close friends.

Common mistakes English speakers make

• Saying oyasumi to your boss. Use oyasumi nasai. The casual form is reserved for peers and family.
• Using it as a midday greeting. Oyasumi is exclusively for evening or end-of-day. For midday, use こんにちは (konnichiwa).
• Confusing 休み (yasumi, rest/holiday) with oyasumi. 休み alone refers to a day off; oyasumi is the bedtime greeting.
• Pronouncing the "u" too hard. The final "u" in oyasumi is barely voiced — closer to o-ya-su-mi with a soft trailing consonant.

Pronunciation tips

Each syllable in Japanese is given roughly equal weight: o-ya-su-mi (4 even beats) and o-ya-su-mi-na-sa-i (7 even beats). The "r" in similar Japanese words is a soft tap; here, focus on a clean "ya" (not "yah") and keep the trailing "u" almost silent. The whole phrase should feel calm and unhurried — it’s a sleeping greeting, after all.

Cultural context: why "rest well" matters in Japan

Japan ranks among the OECD’s most sleep-deprived countries, with adults averaging about six hours a night, according to surveys cited by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. In that context, oyasumi nasai isn’t just a phrase — it’s a small act of care. Wishing someone restful sleep, especially after a long workday, carries meaning that English "good night" doesn’t quite capture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does oyasumi literally mean in Japanese?

Oyasumi (おやすみ) literally means “rest” or “to rest” — it comes from the verb 休む (yasumu). The “o-” prefix adds politeness, so the phrase is a soft “honorable rest,” used as a goodbye when someone is winding down for the night.

Is it rude to say just oyasumi to an older Japanese person?

In most cases, yes — to elders, supervisors, or strangers, you should use oyasumi nasai (おやすみなさい). Casual oyasumi is reserved for friends, family, and people of similar or lower social rank.

Can I text oyasumi to my Japanese friend?

Yes — おやすみ or おやすみ〜 (with a tilde) is the standard friendly evening text. Adding a moon, star, or sleeping emoji is common among young people.

What is the difference between oyasumi and konbanwa?

Konbanwa (こんばんは) means “good evening” and is used as a greeting when meeting someone in the evening. Oyasumi is used to say goodbye before sleeping or going home for the night — they are not interchangeable.

How do you write good night in Japanese kanji?

The kanji form is お休みなさい (oyasumi nasai), with 休 meaning “rest.” Most casual writing uses pure hiragana (おやすみなさい), but the kanji version appears in literature and formal settings.

Is oyasumi used the same way as goodnight in English?

Mostly yes, but oyasumi is also acceptable any time someone is leaving for the day or ending a long evening — not strictly bedtime. It carries a softer “rest well” meaning that English good night does not always convey.

See also

• How to say good morning in Japanese (Ohayō, Ohayō gozaimasu)
• The meaning of arigato — beyond simple thanks
• Okini: regional thanks in Kansai dialect
• Makanai: the Japanese kitchen tradition