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A1How to sayspakóynay nóchi

How to say “Good night” in Russian

Never use it as a greeting: this is the sentence you say when someone is going to bed.

Quick answer

Споко́йной но́чи.

spakóynay nóchi — in the genitive, because it is a wish, not a greeting

The options

Споко́йной но́чи.Good night. — the standard
До́брой но́чи.Good night. — slightly softer, also used on the phone late
Прия́тных снов.Sweet dreams.
Сла́дких снов.Sweet dreams. — warmer, to family
До за́втра.See you tomorrow.

Why the genitive

Wishes drop the verb жела́ю (“I wish you”) and keep its genitive object: споко́йной но́чи, до́брого пути́, всего́ хоро́шего, уда́чи. The genitive is the fingerprint of a wish in Russian.

Not a greeting

Unlike до́брый ве́чер (good evening, used on arrival), споко́йной но́чи only ever closes an encounter. Saying it when you walk in at eleven at night would be a genuine mistake.

What you hear back

Споко́йной но́чи!Good night!
И вам споко́йной но́чи.And good night to you.
Прия́тных снов!Sweet dreams!

Typical mistakes

Споко́йная ночь!

Споко́йной но́чи!

A wish takes the genitive.

Using it to say hello at night.

До́брый ве́чер.

Good night is only for parting.

Check yourself

Which case is споко́йной но́чи?

Wishes use the genitive.

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