| Korean | Romanization | English | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 잘 자요 | jal jayo | Good night / Sleep well | Standard polite |
| 안녕히 주무세요 | annyeonghi jumuseyo | Have a good night | Very respectful (elderly people) |
| 잘 자 | jal ja | Sleep well | Casual (friends, family) |
| 좋은 꿈 꾸세요 | joeun kkum kkuseyo | Have sweet dreams | Polite and affectionate |
| 편안한 밤 되세요 | pyeonanhan bam doeseyo | Have a peaceful night | Formal and warm |
You’re coming back from your first day in South Korea and want to wish your host family good night? Or maybe you’re watching Korean dramas and constantly hear these mysterious expressions before characters go to bed? Saying good night in Korean requires a bit more finesse than in English, because it all depends on your relationship with the person.
The Standard Expression for Saying Good Night
- 잘 자요 (jal jayo) – Here’s the expression you’ll hear most often. It literally means “sleep well” and works in most situations. At the office with your colleagues, in a youth hostel, or with acquaintances, this formula works everywhere. The small detail that makes all the difference: the “요” at the end marks basic politeness in Korean.
- 잘 (jal) means “well” and 자요 (jayo) comes from the verb 자다 (jada) which means “to sleep”. Simple as can be, but terribly effective!
When Addressing Your Elders
- 안녕히 주무세요 (annyeonghi jumuseyo) – This ultra-respectful version is used with your grandparents, your teachers, or anyone older than you. Even Korean children use it with their parents. The verb 주무시다 (jumusida) is the honorific form of “to sleep”, as if you were saying “rest well” in formal English.
- Be careful, if you use 잘 자요 with an elderly person, you risk coming across as rude. Korean social hierarchy doesn’t joke around with these details!
Among Friends and Family
- 잘 자 (jal ja) – This is the casual version, without the polite “요”. You use it with your close friends, your boyfriend or girlfriend, your siblings. This formula creates real closeness.
- In dramas, you’ll often hear it between couples or childhood friends. It’s tender and direct at the same time.
To Wish Sweet Dreams
- 좋은 꿈 꾸세요 (joeun kkum kkuseyo) – Literally “have beautiful dreams”. The word 꿈 (kkum) means “dream” and 좋은 (joeun) means “good/beautiful”. This expression adds a poetic touch to your nighttime farewells.
- Perfect when you want to show that you really care about the person. Your Korean friends will be touched by this special attention.
More Elegant Formulas
- 편안한 밤 되세요 (pyeonanhan bam doeseyo) – “Have a peaceful night”. This expression sounds a bit like literary Korean, but it has a nice effect in text messages or formal conversations.
- 푹 쉬세요 (puk swiseyo) – “Rest well”. Particularly used when the person seems tired or stressed. The “푹” mimics the sound of deep, restorative sleep.
Cultural Tips
- In Korea, people often say good night even when it’s still daytime, especially if someone is going to take a nap. In this case, 잘 자요 works perfectly.
- In traditional families, children always say 안녕히 주무세요 to their parents before going to bed. It’s a sign of respect that endures.
- On Korean social media, you’ll often see abbreviations like ㅈㅈ for 잘 자 or ㅇㅎㅈㅁㅅㅇ for 안녕히 주무세요. Young Koreans love these shortcuts!
There you have it, you now have everything you need to wish good night in Korean for every situation. If you want to go further in your Korean learning and discover other everyday expressions, our courses will help you navigate all these cultural subtleties naturally.