You’re staring at your phone, thumb hovering over the send button. Maybe it’s a new friend in Beijing, a language exchange partner, or someone you’re actually into. You want to end the night without sounding like a 1950s Mandarin textbook or, worse, accidentally saying something that sounds like you’re saying goodbye forever.
How do I say goodnight in Chinese anyway?
Honestly, it’s not just one phrase. If you just type "goodnight" into a basic translator, you’ll get wǎn’ān. And sure, wǎn’ān works. It’s the classic. It’s safe. But if you’re actually trying to sound like a human being and not a pre-programmed robot, you need to know that Chinese speakers use a whole spectrum of phrases depending on who they’re talking to and how tired they actually are.
The Standard: Wǎn’ān (晚安)
Let's start with the big one. Wǎn’ān ($晚安$) literally translates to "night peace." It’s the direct equivalent of "goodnight." You’ll hear it on TV shows, read it in novels, and hear parents say it to kids.
It’s formal-ish.
If you say this to a buddy after a night of gaming, it might feel a little stiff, like you're suddenly putting on a tuxedo to say bye. However, in the world of romance, wǎn’ān has a secret life. In mainland China, some people see it as an acronym for Wǒ ài nǐ, ài nǐ (I love you, love you). That’s a bit of "internet slang" lore, but it’s real enough that saying it to a crush carries a certain weight.
When to actually use it
Use it with elders. Use it when you’re leaving a formal dinner. Use it if you want to be sweet but brief. It’s the "ol' reliable" of the Chinese language.
The "I’m Actually Going to Sleep" Version
If you’re literally about to lose consciousness and hit the pillow, wǎn’ān is too poetic. You want something functional.
Wǒ qù shuìjiào le ($我去睡觉了$) is your bread and butter here. It basically means "I’m going to sleep now." Adding that little le at the end is crucial—it signals a change in state. You weren't sleeping, but now you are. It’s conversational. It’s what you text when you’re too tired to keep the conversation going.
Sometimes people shorten it even further to just Shuì le ($睡了$). It’s blunt. It’s what you say to your siblings or your best friend when the Netflix binge has finally defeated you.
Sweet Dreams and Ghostly Warnings
English speakers love saying "sweet dreams." In Chinese, the direct translation is Zuò gè hǎo mèng ($做个好梦$).
It’s nice. It’s cute.
But here’s the thing: Chinese culture doesn't use "sweet dreams" as reflexively as Westerners do. If you tell a casual acquaintance to "have a good dream," they might think you’re being a bit extra. Keep this one for people you’re close to.
A Note on Superstition: In some traditional circles, people avoid talking about dreams right before bed. There’s an old-school belief that mentioning dreams might invite "unsettled" spirits. You probably won't run into this in Shanghai or Taipei office buildings, but if you’re in a rural village, maybe stick to the standard "night peace."
How Do I Say Goodnight in Chinese to a Crush?
This is where things get interesting. Language is a tool for flirting, and Mandarin is no exception. If you want to sound endearing, you start doubling up your verbs. This is called reduplication, and it makes everything sound "softer" or "cuter."
Instead of saying shuìjiào (sleep), you say Shuì dudu ($睡嘟嘟$) or Mèng mèng ($梦梦$). Okay, maybe don't say mèng mèng unless you’re really deep into a relationship, or you’ll sound like a toddler.
A very common "cute" way to say goodnight is An’ān ($安安$). It’s just the second half of wǎn’ān doubled. It’s massive in Taiwan and among younger Gen Z users in the mainland. It’s low-effort but high-vibe. It says, "I'm chill, you're chill, goodnight."
Other Flirty Variations:
- Kuài qù mèng lǐ jiàn wǒ ($快去梦里见我$): "Hurry up and meet me in your dreams." It’s cheesy. It’s bold. Use with caution.
- Bǎo bǎo wǎn’ān ($宝宝晚安$): "Goodnight, baby." Only if you’re actually dating.
The Social Media "Ghosting" Goodnight
We’ve all been there. You want to stop talking, but you don’t want to be rude. On WeChat or Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu), the etiquette is a bit different.
Often, people don't even say "goodnight." They might say Wǒ xiān xià le ($我先下了$), which means "I’m getting off (the app) first." It’s a way to close the digital door.
Or, if you’re talking to someone and they’ve been carrying the conversation, you can say Bù dǎrǎo nǐ xiūxi le ($不打扰你休息了$). This translates to "I won’t disturb your rest anymore." It’s a polite, high-EQ way to end a chat by framing it as a favor to them. You’re not leaving because you’re bored; you’re leaving because you care about their sleep schedule.
Regional Differences: Hong Kong and Beyond
If you’re in Hong Kong or Guangzhou, you’re likely dealing with Cantonese. While the written characters look the same, the sounds are worlds apart.
In Cantonese, you’d say Zou2 aan1 ($早安$ - which weirdly means good morning in Mandarin, but context is everything) or more commonly Zou2 tau2 ($早透$). Zou2 tau2 is the quintessential Canto goodnight. If you say wǎn’ān in a busy Mong Kok street, people will know what you mean, but you'll stand out as a Mandarin speaker immediately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing Goodnight with Goodbye: Don’t say zàijiàn ($再见$) when you’re going to bed. Zàijiàn is "see you again." It’s fine, but it doesn't carry the "sleep well" sentiment. It feels like you're hanging up a business call.
- Wrong Tones: Mandarin is tonal. If you mess up the tones in wǎn’ān ($wǎn$ is 3rd tone, $ān$ is 1st), you might end up saying something about a "late bowl" or something equally nonsensical.
- Being Too Formal with Friends: If you’ve been drinking beers with a buddy, don't use a long, flowery sentence. A simple Wǒ kuì le ($我愧了$ - I'm crashed/done) or just Shuì le is much more natural.
The Cultural Weight of Rest
In China, there’s a massive emphasis on "health preservation" or yǎngshēng ($养生$). Sleep isn't just a biological necessity; it’s a pillar of health. When someone tells you to go to sleep early, they aren't usually being bossy. They’re showing they care about your liver (seriously, Traditional Chinese Medicine links late nights to liver stress).
So, when you ask, "how do I say goodnight in Chinese," remember that you’re often also saying, "I care about your health."
Actionable Steps for Your Next Conversation
Stop overthinking it. Language is about connection, not perfection. If you're a beginner, stick to the basics and branch out as you get comfortable.
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- For your boss or teacher: Stick to the full Wǎn’ān. It’s respectful and leaves no room for misinterpretation.
- For a casual friend: Use Wǒ qù shuì le to show you're headed to bed, followed by a quick Wǎn’ān.
- For someone you like: Try An’ān or add an emoji. The "moon" or "sleeping face" emojis are universal.
- For a group chat: Use Gèwèi wǎn’ān ($各位晚安$), which means "Goodnight everyone." It saves you from saying it twenty times.
The best way to learn is to listen to how they say it back to you. If they respond with Mèng lǐ jiàn ($梦里见$ - see you in dreams), they're being playful. If they just send a "thumbs up," well, maybe they're just really tired.
To really nail the pronunciation, use a tool like Pleco or a dictionary app to hear the tones. Practice saying wǎn’ān with a dipping tone on the first word—like your voice is going down a small slide and then back up. Once you get that "dip" right, you’ll sound 10x more like a native speaker.
Start using these tonight. Don't wait until you've mastered the whole language. Just pick one person, send one text, and see how it feels to close the day in a different tongue.
Goodnight. Or rather, Wǎn’ān.