おやすみなさい
おやすみなさい
expression
good night
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。
Good night, see you tomorrow.
子どもに「おやすみなさい」と言って電気を消した。
I said 'good night' to the child and turned off the light.
夜遅くまで起きている家族に「おやすみなさい」と声をかけて先に寝た。
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).
ORIGIN:
Derives from お休みなさい, 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 EXPRESSIONS:
- おやすみ: casual form, used among friends and family
- 良い夢を: sweet dreams
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