How to Say Good Night in Italian: 16 Phrases From Sweet to Romantic

The Short Answer

The most common way to say good night in Italian is Buonanotte (bwoh-nah-NOHT-teh). Use it when someone is heading to bed or when saying goodbye late at night. But Italian draws a distinction that English does not: Buonanotte is strictly a bedtime farewell, while Buona serata ("have a good evening") is the phrase for earlier evening goodbyes when the night is still young.

Italian is spoken by approximately 85 million people worldwide across Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, and large diaspora communities from Argentina to Australia. According to the Società Dante Alighieri's 2024 annual report, over 2 million people are actively studying Italian abroad, drawn in part by the language's reputation as one of the most melodic and emotionally expressive in Europe.

"Italian nighttime language reveals a culture that treats the transition from day to night not as an ending, but as a series of rituals: the passeggiata, the late dinner, the long farewell. Each stage has its own vocabulary."

(Tullio De Mauro, Storia linguistica dell'Italia unita, Laterza, 2014)

This guide covers 16 essential Italian good night phrases organized by category: standard, affectionate, romantic, casual, and farewell. Each includes pronunciation, cultural context, and an example sentence so you know exactly when and where to use it.

Quick Reference: Italian Good Night Phrases at a Glance

Standard Good Night Phrases

These are the core good night expressions every Italian speaker uses daily. Understanding the distinction between them is essential, and it is one of the first things that trips up learners.

Buonanotte

Buonanotte is Italy's definitive bedtime word. The Treccani dictionary classifies it as both a noun and an interjection, and the Accademia della Crusca confirms that the single-word spelling is now standard, though the two-word form Buona notte remains acceptable.

The critical rule that separates intermediate learners from advanced speakers: Buonanotte implies sleep. If you leave a restaurant at 10 PM and your friends are heading to a bar, you say Buona serata, not Buonanotte. Saying Buonanotte would signal that you think the evening is over, which, in Italy, it rarely is at 10 PM.

Buona serata

Buona serata is the phrase English speakers often miss because English has no direct equivalent. It means "have a good evening," used specifically as a farewell, wishing someone an enjoyable rest of the night. A waiter might say it as you leave a restaurant. A colleague uses it when leaving the office in the evening. A friend says it after aperitivo when everyone is heading in different directions.

The distinction between Buonasera (greeting/farewell) and Buona serata (farewell only, with a wish for enjoyment) is subtle but meaningful. Buonasera is neutral. Buona serata is warmer; it expresses genuine hope that the person's evening goes well.

Buona notte a tutti

This is the group version of Buonanotte, and it carries a particular warmth in Italian family culture. Picture a large Sunday dinner at la nonna's house: as family members start heading home, someone announces Buona notte a tutti! and it triggers a chain reaction of kisses, hugs, and a dozen individual goodbyes that take another twenty minutes.

Affectionate and Family Phrases

Italian culture prizes affection. These phrases go beyond a simple "good night" and add genuine warmth, used between family members, close friends, and people you care about.

Sogni d'oro

Sogni d'oro is arguably the most beautiful good night expression in any European language. Where English settles for "sweet dreams," Italian reaches for gold. It is the phrase Italian parents whisper to their children, the phrase texted between lovers, and the phrase that closes long phone calls between friends who genuinely care about each other.

According to Treccani, the expression has been part of standard Italian since at least the early 20th century, and it appears in Italian literature and cinema with remarkable consistency. It is never ironic or casual -- when an Italian says Sogni d'oro, they mean it.

Dormi bene

Dormi bene is the Italian equivalent of "sleep well": direct, caring, and universally understood. It uses the informal tu conjugation of dormire (to sleep), making it appropriate for friends, family, and anyone you address casually. For formal situations (say, wishing a hotel guest good night) a receptionist would use Dorma bene with the Lei form.

Fai bei sogni

While Sogni d'oro describes the dreams themselves, Fai bei sogni is more of a gentle command: "make beautiful dreams." The verb fare (to do/make) gives it an active quality, as though the speaker believes the listener has the power to choose what they dream about. It is especially common from parents tucking children into bed.

Fa' la nanna

Fa' la nanna belongs to the world of Italian childhood. Nanna is baby talk for sleep; you will never hear an adult use it about themselves without irony. The phrase echoes through the famous lullaby Ninna Nanna, one of the oldest and most beloved children's songs in the Italian tradition. It is pure tenderness.

Romantic Good Night Phrases

Italian's reputation as the language of love is well earned. These phrases are used between romantic partners and carry genuine emotional weight. For more ways to express affection in Italian, check out our blog for related guides.

Buonanotte amore

Amore is the beating heart of Italian romantic vocabulary. Unlike English, where calling someone "love" can feel casual or regional, amore in Italian always carries sincerity. Buonanotte amore is what millions of Italian couples say to each other every single night, in person, on the phone, or via text message. It is simple, direct, and deeply felt.

Buonanotte tesoro

Tesoro (literally "treasure") is one of Italian's most versatile terms of endearment. A mother calls her child tesoro. A husband calls his wife tesoro. Close friends sometimes use it playfully. In the context of a good night message, it adds sweetness without the intensity of amore.

Ti penso, buonanotte

Ti penso before buonanotte transforms a simple good night into a declaration. It tells the other person they are the last thought before sleep, and in Italian culture, where emotional expressiveness is valued rather than suppressed, this kind of vulnerability is a strength. You will see Ti penso, buonanotte in countless Italian text messages every night.

Casual and Informal Phrases

For everyday situations with friends, roommates, and people you are comfortable with. These are the phrases you will hear in shared apartments, group chats, and among young Italians.

Notte!

Just as English speakers shorten "good night" to "night," Italians drop the buona and simply say Notte! It is fast, casual, and ubiquitous in text messages and group chats. You will also hear it shouted between friends parting ways on a street corner after a night out.

Vado a dormire

Vado a dormire is the announcement that sets the good night ritual in motion. In a group setting (whether at a dinner table or in a WhatsApp group) one person declares Vado a dormire and the others respond with their preferred good night phrase: Buonanotte, Dormi bene, Sogni d'oro, or all three.

Farewell Phrases for Evening

These phrases work for evening goodbyes that are not specifically about bedtime. They are essential for navigating Italy's vibrant nighttime social culture.

A domani

A domani adds a note of anticipation to any good night farewell. It looks ahead to the next meeting rather than dwelling on the parting. Italians often combine it with Buonanotte for a complete farewell: Buonanotte, a domani! It works equally well with colleagues, friends, and family.

Riposati bene

Riposati bene goes beyond "sleep well"; it acknowledges that the person deserves rest. It is the phrase you use when a friend has had an exhausting day, when someone has been traveling, or when a family member is recovering from illness. The reflexive verb riposarsi (to rest oneself) gives it a self-care quality that dormire (to sleep) lacks.

Buon riposo

Buon riposo follows the classic Italian pattern of buon/buona + noun: buongiorno (good day), buonasera (good evening), buon riposo (good rest). It is polished without being stiff, making it a good choice for acquaintances, colleagues, and semi-formal situations where Sogni d'oro would feel too intimate.

A presto

A presto is one of Italian's most versatile farewells. It is not specific to nighttime, but it pairs beautifully with evening goodbyes: Buonanotte, a presto! Unlike A domani, which commits to seeing someone the next day, A presto is pleasantly vague: you will see each other soon, whenever that may be.

How to Respond to Italian Good Night Phrases

Knowing how to respond is just as important as knowing how to initiate. Here are the most natural responses.

Practice With Real Italian Content

Reading about good night phrases is a useful start, but hearing them spoken by native Italian speakers is what makes them natural. Italian cinema, from classic Fellini to modern comedies, is filled with intimate evening scenes where characters use these exact expressions with authentic intonation and emotion.

Wordy lets you watch Italian movies and shows with interactive subtitles. Tap any phrase to see its meaning, pronunciation, and cultural context in real time. Instead of memorizing from a list, you absorb these expressions from real conversations between real people.

For more Italian content, explore our blog for guides on everything from greetings to colorful vocabulary. You can also discover the best movies to learn Italian or visit our Italian learning page to start practicing with authentic content today.