How to Say Good Night in Russian

The most popular way to say good night in Russian is Спокойной ночи (spaKOYnay NOchee), which means "have a peaceful night." However, the Russian language contains several variations on this phrase. Some of the expressions for "good night" can be used in any situation, while others are highly specific and can only be used when addressing certain people, such as family or friends. Read on to learn 13 of the most common "good night" phrases in Russian, as well as how to pronounce them.

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Спокойной ночи

Pronunciation: spaKOYnay NOchee

Translation: have a peaceful night

Meaning: goodnight

This phrase is the most popular way to wish someone goodnight. There is even a famous Russian TV show for kids called Спокойной ночи, малыши (Goodnight, Little Ones), which generations of Russian children have watched before bedtime since the 1960s.

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Доброй ночи

Pronunciation: DObray NOchee

Translation: have a good night

Meaning: goodnight

A more formal way to wish someone a good night, доброй ночи is almost identical to спокойной ночи but has an air of added politeness and sophistication. Think Anna Karenina or Eugene Onegin, rather than a finger puppet from a children’s show.

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Приятных снов

Pronunciation: preeYAtnykh SNOV

Translation: have pleasant dreams

Meaning: sweet dreams

Another universal phrase for goodnight, приятных снов can be used in any situation and register.

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Хорошего отдыха

Pronunciation: HaROshiva OTdykha

Translation: have a good rest

This goodnight phrase can be used in formal, neutral, and informal situations, although it is most often used as an add-on to another phrase, such as Спокойной ночи и хорошего отдыха (goodnight and have a good rest).

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Сладких снов

Pronunciation: SLADkykh SNOV

Translation: sweet dreams

An informal way to wish someone sweet dreams, this affectionate phrase can be used in romantic relationships, with close and much-loved family members, and with children.

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Приятных сновидений

Pronunciation: preeYATnykh snaveeDYEny

Translation: have pleasant dreams

Meaning: sweet dreams

While приятных сновидений translates into English as sweet dreams, just like the previous expression, here we have a more formal way to say goodnight. Rather than an affectionate expression, this phrase is more appropriate when addressing family members such as in-laws, aunts and uncles, and other relatives, as well as acquaintances.

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Баюшки-баю / Баиньки-баю

Pronunciation: BAyushkee baYU / BAyin’kee baYU

Meaning: night-night

A very affectionate goodnight expression, баюшки-баю and its (non-identical) twin баиньки-баю are suitable when speaking to young children, romantic partners, and very close friends.

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Крепких снов

Pronunciation: KRYEPkikh SNOF

Translation: have strong / durable dreams

Meaning: sleep tight

This funny expression is in the neutral register and can be used in most informal and neutral situations.

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Споки

Pronunciation: SPOkee

Meaning: night-night

A slang expression for "goodnight," споки is a shortened version of спокойной ночи. It is mainly used among Russian youth.

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Споки ноки

Pronunciation: SPOkee NOkee

Meaning: night-night

Similar to Споки, Споки ноки is another slang expression used by the younger generation of Russians. Споки is formed by shortening and modifying спокойной ("peaceful"), while ноки is a modification of ночи ("night").

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Спи сладко

Pronunciation: SPEE SLADka

Translation: sleep sweetly

Meaning: sweet dreams, sleep well

In Russia, wishing friends and family "sweet dreams" each night is common. This version of the expression is romantic and cutesy, so it's not to be used with your boss or a stranger.

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Спатеньки

Pronunciation: SPAtin’kee

Meaning: go to bed

Another slang word, спатеньки is used in the informal register, and means "going to bed" or "sleep." It is associated with baby talk, so it should only be used with close friends, family, and romantic partners

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Спи крепко-крепко / спи крепко

Pronunciation: SPEE KRYEPka-KRYEPka / SPEE KREYPka

Meaning: sleep tight.

This phrase is an informal way of saying goodnight, much like the phrase крепких снов (KRYEPkikh SNOF).

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Nikitina, Maia. "How to Say Good Night in Russian." ThoughtCo, Aug. 25, 2020, thoughtco.com/how-to-say-good-night-in-russian-4175897. Nikitina, Maia. (2020, August 25). How to Say Good Night in Russian. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-say-good-night-in-russian-4175897 Nikitina, Maia. "How to Say Good Night in Russian." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-say-good-night-in-russian-4175897 (accessed March 23, 2023).