おやすみなさい

おやすみなさい
expression
good night
politegreeting
1. good night
A standard polite greeting used when parting for the night or before going to sleep. Literally derives from the respectful request 'please rest.'
おやすみなさい、また明日(あした)。
Good night, see you tomorrow.
子(こ)どもに「おやすみなさい」と言(い)って電気(でんき)を消(け)した。
I said 'good night' to the child and turned off the light.
夜遅(よるおそ)くまで起(お)きている家族(かぞく)に「おやすみなさい」と声(こえ)をかけて先(さき)に寝(ね)た。
I said 'good night' to my family who was still up late and went to bed first.

Usage

The polite form of おやすみ, used with people you are not close with, elders, and in formal situations. The shorter おやすみ is used casually among friends and family. Can be used when leaving someone at night (not just at bedtime).

Etymology

Derives from お休(やす)みなさい, a polite request meaning "please rest." The お is an honorific prefix and なさい is the imperative of なさる (respectful form of する).

Related words

Similar words

  • おはようございます: good morning — the morning counterpart
  • こんばんは: good evening — used earlier in the evening as a greeting, not at parting

Related Words

Related: おやすみ (casual form, used among friends…)
Compare: こんばんは (good evening)
general
Added 2026.3.14 9:02 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
16500/16581_oyasuminasai