Meaning
A polite farewell greeting before going to bed.
Cultural Background
Children are taught to say 'Oyasuminasai' to their parents and even to their stuffed animals to foster a sense of gratitude and routine. In business, 'Oyasuminasai' is rarely used unless the relationship is very close or it's a multi-day retreat. 'Otsukaresama desu' is the safer bet. On Twitter (X) or LINE, Japanese users often post 'Oyasumi' with a moon or bed emoji to signal they are logging off for the night. Staff at traditional inns will bow deeply and say 'Oyasuminasaiませ' (mase) after laying out your futon.
The 'U' is silent
In 'yasumi', the 'u' is very short. Pronouncing it as 'ya-su-mi' sounds a bit robotic. Try 'yas-mi'.
Not for strangers
Don't say this to people you pass on the street at night. It's for people you've actually interacted with.
Meaning
A polite farewell greeting before going to bed.
The 'U' is silent
In 'yasumi', the 'u' is very short. Pronouncing it as 'ya-su-mi' sounds a bit robotic. Try 'yas-mi'.
Not for strangers
Don't say this to people you pass on the street at night. It's for people you've actually interacted with.
Add 'mase'
If you want to sound like a high-class butler or hotel staff, say 'Oyasuminasai-mase'.
The Bow
Even a small nod of the head while saying this makes you sound much more natural and polite.
Test Yourself
Which phrase is appropriate for these situations?
You are leaving your host family's living room to go to your bedroom at 10 PM.
Since you are going to bed, 'Oyasuminasai' is the correct bedtime greeting.
Complete the casual version of the greeting.
A: もう{寝|ね}るね。 B: うん、おやす___。
The casual form of 'Oyasuminasai' is 'Oyasumi'.
Choose the most polite option for a teacher.
You are ending a late-night Zoom lesson with your professor.
The full form 'Oyasuminasai' is necessary for the polite register required with a professor.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
田中：夜遅くまでありがとうございました。 鈴木：いいえ。それでは、__________。 田中：おやすみなさい。
In a polite exchange at night, both parties typically exchange 'Oyasuminasai'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Night Greetings: Arrival vs. Departure
Formality Levels of Oyasumi
Casual
- • Oyasumi
- • Oyasuu
Polite
- • Oyasuminasai
Very Formal
- • Oyasuminasai-mase
Practice Bank
4 exercisesYou are leaving your host family's living room to go to your bedroom at 10 PM.
Since you are going to bed, 'Oyasuminasai' is the correct bedtime greeting.
A: もう{寝|ね}るね。 B: うん、おやす___。
The casual form of 'Oyasuminasai' is 'Oyasumi'.
You are ending a late-night Zoom lesson with your professor.
The full form 'Oyasuminasai' is necessary for the polite register required with a professor.
田中：夜遅くまでありがとうございました。 鈴木：いいえ。それでは、__________。 田中：おやすみなさい。
In a polite exchange at night, both parties typically exchange 'Oyasuminasai'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, if you are both finishing work very late or staying at the same hotel, but 'Otsukaresama desu' is usually more appropriate first.
It might be a bit too casual/intimate. Stick to 'Oyasuminasai' or 'Tanoshikatta desu. Oyasuminasai' to be safe.
If the other person is going to sleep, you still say 'Oyasuminasai' to them.
Not literally, but it serves the same social purpose. 'Yoi yume o' is the literal 'Sweet dreams'.
Only in very casual emails to friends. In business, use 'Yoroshiku onegaishimasu'.
Yes, it's very common and sounds warm and natural.
It's a polite command form, essentially saying 'Please do the act of resting'.
Yes, 'Ohayou gozaimasu'. Both use honorific prefixes.
Usually no. It's for night-time. For a nap, you'd just say 'Chotto nemasu' (I'm going to sleep a bit).
Saying just 'Yasuminasai' sounds like a very stern command, like a teacher to a student. Avoid it.
Related Phrases
{休|やす}む
builds onTo rest / To sleep
{寝|ね}る
similarTo go to bed / To sleep
{今晩|こんばん}は
contrastGood evening
お{疲|つか}れ{様|さま}でした
similarThank you for your hard work
{良|よ}い{夢|ゆめ}を
specialized formSweet dreams
