How to Say Good Night in Spanish: 16 Expressions for Every Situation
Quick Answer
The most common way to say good night in Spanish is 'Buenas noches' (BWEH-nahs NOH-chehs). It works as both a greeting (good evening) and a farewell (good night). For a warmer sendoff at bedtime, native speakers use 'Que descanses' (rest well), 'Dulces sueños' (sweet dreams), or the romantic 'Que sueñes conmigo' (dream of me).
The Short Answer
The most common way to say good night in Spanish is Buenas noches (BWEH-nahs NOH-chehs). But here is what makes this phrase fascinating: unlike English, which splits "good evening" (greeting) from "good night" (farewell), Spanish uses Buenas noches for both. Walk into a dinner party at 9 PM: Buenas noches. Leave at midnight: Buenas noches.
Spanish is spoken by approximately 559 million people across 21 countries, according to Ethnologue's 2024 data. Across that enormous span, saying good night carries more warmth and variety than most learners expect. Beyond the standard Buenas noches, native speakers reach for tender bedtime phrases like Que descanses, romantic expressions like Que sueñes conmigo, and regional farewells that vary from Mexico to Argentina.
"Spanish evening and nighttime greetings reveal a cultural attitude toward night that is fundamentally different from the Anglo-Saxon world, the night is social, warm, and long."
(Francisco Moreno Fernández, Variedades de la lengua española, Routledge, 2020)
This guide covers 16 essential ways to say good night in Spanish, organized by category: standard greetings and farewells, bedtime expressions, romantic goodnights, and regional variations. Each includes pronunciation, an example sentence, and cultural context.
Quick Reference: Spanish Good Night Expressions
Buenas Noches: Greeting and Farewell
What surprises most English speakers is that Buenas noches does double duty. Understanding when it means "good evening" versus "good night" is essential.
Buenas noches
/BWEH-nahs NOH-chehs/
Literal meaning: Good nights
“Buenas noches, señora López. Gracias por la invitación.”
Good evening, Mrs. López. Thank you for the invitation.
Works as BOTH a greeting (good evening, when arriving) AND a farewell (good night, when leaving). The most important nighttime phrase in Spanish.
Buenas noches is the foundation of all nighttime communication in Spanish. When you arrive at a restaurant at 9 PM, you greet the host with Buenas noches. When you leave at midnight, you say Buenas noches again. Context (arriving versus departing) makes the meaning clear to everyone.
According to the Real Academia Española (RAE), Buenas noches has served this dual purpose since at least the 16th century. The plural form noches (nights) is a grammatical convention inherited from Latin, just like Buenos días (good days) and Buenas tardes (good afternoons).
🌍 When Does 'Buenas noches' Start?
The switch from Buenas tardes to Buenas noches follows sunset, not a fixed hour. In equatorial countries like Colombia and Ecuador, where the sun sets around 6 PM year-round, the switch happens earlier. In Spain during summer, where sunset can be as late as 10 PM, Buenas tardes stretches well into what English speakers would consider "night."
Buenas noches a todos
/BWEH-nahs NOH-chehs ah TOH-dohs/
Literal meaning: Good nights to everyone
“Buenas noches a todos. Es un placer estar aquí.”
Good evening, everyone. It's a pleasure to be here.
Used when addressing a group, entering a gathering, beginning a speech, or saying farewell to a crowd. 'Todos' changes to 'todas' for an all-female group.
This is the group version. It works when entering a room full of people, starting a presentation, or saying goodbye to everyone at a gathering. In Latin American cultures, acknowledging the group with a greeting when you arrive is considered basic courtesy.
Bedtime Expressions
These phrases are specifically for when someone is going to sleep. They carry warmth and affection, turning a simple goodbye into a caring gesture.
Que descanses
/keh dehs-KAHN-sehs/
Literal meaning: May you rest
“Ya me voy a dormir., Que descanses, amiga.”
I'm going to bed now., Rest well, friend.
The most common bedtime farewell across all Spanish-speaking countries. Warm but not overly intimate, appropriate with family, friends, coworkers, and acquaintances.
Que descanses is arguably the most-used bedtime phrase in Spanish after Buenas noches itself. It is a shortened subjunctive construction; the full form would be Espero que descanses (I hope that you rest) -- but native speakers always drop the beginning. It works with virtually anyone: your mother, your roommate, a colleague leaving the office late.
For the formal version, switch to Que descanse (dropping the final "s"), which uses the usted conjugation.
Dulces sueños
/DOOL-sehs SWEH-nyohs/
Literal meaning: Sweet dreams
“Dulces sueños, pequeña. Te quiero mucho.”
Sweet dreams, little one. I love you very much.
A direct equivalent of the English 'sweet dreams.' Universally understood, commonly used with children, partners, and close family members.
A near-perfect translation of the English "sweet dreams." The ñ in sueños produces the "ny" sound (like "canyon"), giving the word its distinctive Spanish character. Parents say it to children. Partners text it to each other. It is tender without being exclusively romantic.
Que duermas bien
/keh DWEHR-mahs bee-EHN/
Literal meaning: May you sleep well
“Ha sido un día largo. Que duermas bien.”
It's been a long day. Sleep well.
Slightly more specific than 'Que descanses', it focuses on sleep rather than general rest. Common across all regions and appropriate with anyone you are on familiar terms with.
While Que descanses means "rest well" in a general sense, Que duermas bien specifically wishes someone a good sleep. The distinction is subtle and the two are largely interchangeable, but Que duermas bien tends to feel a touch more personal.
Descansa bien
/dehs-KAHN-sah bee-EHN/
Literal meaning: Rest well (imperative)
“Mañana será un día largo. Descansa bien esta noche.”
Tomorrow will be a long day. Rest well tonight.
The imperative form, making it a direct instruction rather than a wish. Slightly more assertive than 'Que descanses' but equally warm.
This is the imperative (command) form of "rest well," as opposed to the subjunctive wish Que descanses. Grammatically, it is a direct instruction: "rest well" rather than "may you rest well." In practice, both feel equally warm and caring.
Que duermas con los angelitos
/keh DWEHR-mahs kohn lohs ahn-heh-LEE-tohs/
Literal meaning: May you sleep with the little angels
“Buenas noches, mija. Que duermas con los angelitos.”
Good night, sweetheart. May you sleep with the little angels.
A tender phrase used primarily by parents and grandparents when putting children to bed. Reflects the strong Catholic heritage in Spanish-speaking cultures. The diminutive 'angelitos' adds extra affection.
This beautifully traditional phrase reflects the deep Catholic cultural roots across the Spanish-speaking world. The diminutive angelitos (little angels) rather than ángeles (angels) adds an extra layer of tenderness. You will hear this from abuelas (grandmothers) across Latin America.
Farewell Good Nights
These expressions are for when you are leaving an evening gathering, not necessarily going to bed. They signal departure rather than sleep.
Hasta mañana
/AHS-tah mah-NYAH-nah/
Literal meaning: Until tomorrow
“Buenas noches, compañeros. Hasta mañana.”
Good night, colleagues. See you tomorrow.
The standard evening farewell when you know you will see someone the next day. Common among coworkers, classmates, and neighbors. Works in both formal and casual settings.
Hasta mañana implies you will see the person the next day, making it the natural farewell for coworkers, classmates, and neighbors. The ñ in mañana gives the characteristic "ny" sound. This phrase is perfectly professional and works in any register.
Nos vemos mañana
/nohs VEH-mohs mah-NYAH-nah/
Literal meaning: We see each other tomorrow
“Bueno, nos vemos mañana en la oficina.”
Alright, see you tomorrow at the office.
A slightly more casual version of 'Hasta mañana.' The reflexive 'nos vemos' (we see each other) makes it feel more personal and conversational.
The casual cousin of Hasta mañana. The reflexive construction nos vemos (we see each other) gives it a warmer, more personal quality. You can drop mañana and just say Nos vemos when you are not sure when you will meet again.
Que tengas buena noche
/keh TEHN-gahs BWEH-nah NOH-cheh/
Literal meaning: May you have a good night
“Me tengo que ir. Que tengas buena noche.”
I have to go. Have a good night.
Used when leaving a social setting, not necessarily at bedtime. Notice the singular 'noche' (not 'noches'), this wishes someone a good remainder of their evening.
Notice the grammatical shift: buena noche (singular) instead of buenas noches (plural). This phrase wishes someone a pleasant remainder of their evening, not specifically good sleep. It is what you say when leaving a dinner party at 10 PM, knowing the other guests will stay up for hours.
Feliz noche
/feh-LEES NOH-cheh/
Literal meaning: Happy night
“¡Feliz noche! Que la pasen bien.”
Happy night! Enjoy yourselves.
More common in Latin America than Spain, especially in Colombia, Venezuela, and Central America. Has a cheerful, upbeat tone. Often heard from service workers, radio hosts, and in social media posts.
Feliz noche is particularly popular in Colombia, Venezuela, and Central American countries. The Instituto Cervantes notes that this expression reflects the optimistic tone characteristic of Caribbean and Andean Spanish. You will hear it from taxi drivers, shop clerks, and radio announcers wishing listeners well.
Romantic Good Night Expressions
Spanish is often called one of the world's most romantic languages, and these nighttime expressions show why. For more terms of affection, check our blog for upcoming guides on Spanish terms of endearment.
Que sueñes conmigo
/keh SWEH-nyehs kohn-MEE-goh/
Literal meaning: May you dream of me
“Buenas noches, mi vida. Que sueñes conmigo.”
Good night, my darling. Dream of me.
Flirtatious and romantic. Used between couples and people who are dating. Very popular in late-night text messages. Playful rather than formal.
This is the quintessential romantic goodnight text in Spanish. It is playful, flirtatious, and intimate without being vulgar. The subjunctive sueñes (may you dream) gives it the quality of a wish rather than a command. Hugely popular in WhatsApp conversations across the Spanish-speaking world.
Buenas noches, mi amor
/BWEH-nahs NOH-chehs mee ah-MOHR/
Literal meaning: Good nights, my love
“Buenas noches, mi amor. Te extraño.”
Good night, my love. I miss you.
The classic romantic good night. 'Mi amor' (my love) is the most common term of endearment in Spanish, used by couples of all ages across every country.
The standard romantic good night. Mi amor is the single most common term of endearment in Spanish, used by couples in every country from Spain to Chile. You can substitute other endearments: mi cielo (my sky), mi vida (my life), cariño (darling).
Buenas noches, que Dios te bendiga
/BWEH-nahs NOH-chehs keh dee-OHS teh behn-DEE-gah/
Literal meaning: Good nights, may God bless you
“Buenas noches, mijo. Que Dios te bendiga.”
Good night, son. God bless you.
Very common among older generations and in religious households across Latin America. Often said by parents and grandparents. Reflects the strong Catholic cultural influence in the Spanish-speaking world.
Religion plays a significant role in many Spanish-speaking cultures, and this phrase reflects that heritage. It is especially common among older generations in Mexico, Central America, and the Andean countries. Grandparents frequently use it as a bedtime blessing for grandchildren.
Casual and Playful Good Nights
Buenas nochis
/BWEH-nahs NOH-chees/
Literal meaning: Night night (playful distortion)
“Jaja bueno ya me duermo. ¡Buenas nochis!”
Haha alright I'm going to sleep now. Night night!
A playful, deliberately childish distortion of 'Buenas noches.' Popular in text messages and social media, especially among younger speakers in Mexico and Latin America. Similar to English 'nighty night.'
This playful distortion of Buenas noches changes the ending to the diminutive-sounding -is, a trend in informal digital Spanish (similar to amiguis for amigos or porfi for por favor). It is lighthearted, youthful, and exclusively used in casual written communication: texts, social media, memes. You would not say this in person in a serious context.
Regional Variations
The Spanish-speaking world spans four continents, and nighttime farewells carry local flavor just like everything else. Watching Spanish-language films is one of the best ways to absorb these differences naturally, and our guide to the best movies for learning Spanish is a great place to start.
| Region | Common Good Night Phrase | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | Buenas noches / Que descanses | Straightforward; late dinners mean "noches" starts later |
| Mexico | Buenas noches / Que descanses / Que Dios te bendiga | Religious blessings common in families |
| Colombia & Venezuela | Feliz noche / Buenas noches | "Feliz noche" especially popular |
| Argentina & Uruguay | Buenas noches / Chau, que descanses | "Chau" (from Italian "ciao") often precedes the goodnight |
| Central America | Buenas noches / Que Dios te bendiga | Religious expressions widespread |
| Caribbean | Buenas noches / Hasta mañana si Dios quiere | "If God wills" added as a cultural expression |
🌍 Argentina's Italian Influence
In Argentina and Uruguay, you will often hear Chau, que descanses or Chau, buenas noches. The word chau comes from the Italian ciao, brought by the massive wave of Italian immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is used exclusively as a farewell (never a greeting) in Argentine Spanish.
How to Respond to Good Night in Spanish
Knowing how to respond is just as important as knowing how to initiate. Here are the most natural responses to common goodnight expressions.
| They Say | You Respond | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buenas noches | Buenas noches | Echo it back |
| Que descanses | Igualmente / Tú también | "Likewise" or "You too" |
| Dulces sueños | Dulces sueños / Gracias, tú también | Echo or thank them |
| Hasta mañana | Hasta mañana / Nos vemos | Echo or casual alternative |
| Que duermas bien | Gracias, tú también | "Thanks, you too" |
| Que sueñes conmigo | Siempre sueño contigo | "I always dream of you" (romantic) |
💡 The 'Igualmente' Shortcut
When someone wishes you any form of good night, responding with Igualmente (ee-GWAHL-mehn-teh), meaning "likewise" or "same to you," works as a universal reply. It is polite, natural, and saves you from memorizing specific responses.
Practice With Real Spanish Content
Reading about good night phrases is a solid first step, but hearing them in authentic contexts is what makes them stick. Spanish-language shows and films are packed with bedtime scenes, family farewells, and romantic good night conversations that demonstrate these phrases naturally.
Wordy lets you watch Spanish movies and shows with interactive subtitles. When a character says Que descanses or Dulces sueños, you can tap to see the pronunciation, meaning, and cultural context instantly. You absorb these phrases from real conversations rather than flashcards.
For more Spanish learning content, explore our blog for guides on everything from the best movies to learn Spanish to greetings and expressions. Visit our Spanish learning page to start practicing today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common way to say good night in Spanish?
Is 'Buenas noches' a greeting or a farewell?
What time do you start saying 'Buenas noches' in Spanish?
How do you say 'sweet dreams' in Spanish?
What is a romantic way to say good night in Spanish?
What is the difference between 'Que descanses' and 'Que duermas bien'?
Sources & References
- Real Academia Española (RAE) — Diccionario de la lengua española, 23rd edition
- Instituto Cervantes — El español en el mundo, 2024 annual report
- Ethnologue: Languages of the World — Spanish language entry (2024)
- Moreno Fernández, F. (2020). 'Variedades de la lengua española.' Routledge.
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