How do you say good night in Spanish?

Buenas noches. The same phrase works for greeting (good evening) AND parting (good night). Add que descanses (rest well) or dulces sueños (sweet dreams) for warmth before bed.

What's the difference between buenas noches as greeting and parting?

Context. Entering a restaurant at 9 PM: buenas noches = good evening (hello). Leaving someone before bed: buenas noches = good night (goodbye). The Spanish phrase is identical; the meaning depends on context.

How do I say sweet dreams in Spanish?

Dulces sueños = sweet dreams. Full form: Que tengas dulces sueños (have sweet dreams). Variations: Felices sueños (happy dreams), Que sueñes con los angelitos (dream of little angels, common with kids).

How do I say rest well in Spanish?

Que descanses (informal, with tú) or que descanse (formal, with usted). Both use que + subjunctive. Often paired: Buenas noches, que descanses.

Can I just say 'noches' as a greeting?

Buenas (alone) is a common casual short form for any time-of-day greeting in Spain. Just 'noches' alone is uncommon. Use buenas noches for clarity, or buenas if you want a casual quick greeting.

Spanish grammar · Beginner

How to Say Good Night in Spanish: Buenas Noches

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Buenas noches = good night / good evening in Spanish. Same phrase for both meanings (greeting after sunset AND going to bed). Add que descanses (rest well) or dulces sueños (sweet dreams) for warmth.

Buenas noches.

Good night.

What it is

Buenas noches serves double duty in Spanish: good evening (greeting after sunset) AND good night (parting / before bed). Unlike English, the same phrase works for both. For sleep wishes, add que descanses or dulces sueños.

Buenas noches (entering a restaurant at 9 PM = good evening) vs. Buenas noches (leaving / going to bed = good night).

How to spot it

Universal: buenas noches. Sleep wishes: que descanses (rest well, informal), que descanse (formal), dulces sueños (sweet dreams), que tengas dulces sueños (have sweet dreams). Casual: buenas (short form).

Buenas noches. — Good night / good evening.
Que descanses. — Rest well.
Dulces sueños. — Sweet dreams.

Buenas noches works for both greeting and parting after dark. Context determines whether you're saying hello or goodbye.

How to Say Good Night in Spanish Quick Reference

Saying good night in Spanish

Expression	Meaning	Context
Buenas noches	Good night / evening	Universal, after sunset
Buenas	Hi / evening	Casual short form
Que descanses	Rest well	Informal, to one person
Que descanse usted	Rest well	Formal
Dulces sueños	Sweet dreams	Warm, before sleep
Hasta mañana	See you tomorrow	Pairs with buenas noches
Buenas noches, mi amor	Good night, my love	Romantic
Felices sueños	Happy dreams	Wishing well

Common How to Say Good Night in Spanish Examples in Spanish

Saying good night in Spanish:

Standard / Greeting

Buenas noches.: Good night / good evening.
Buenas noches a todos.: Good night to everyone.
Buenas noches, señor.: Good evening, sir.
Buenas. (casual): Hi. (casual evening greeting)
Buenas noches, ¿cómo estás?: Good evening, how are you?

Buenas noches works for greeting (after sunset) AND parting (going to bed). Context clarifies meaning.

Before Sleep / Wishes

Que descanses.: Rest well. (informal)
Que descanse. (formal): Rest well.
Dulces sueños.: Sweet dreams.
Que tengas dulces sueños.: Have sweet dreams.
Felices sueños.: Happy dreams.

After buenas noches, add a sleep wish. Que + subjunctive (descanses, tengas) is the standard structure.

Romantic / Warm

Buenas noches, mi amor.: Good night, my love.
Que sueñes conmigo.: Dream of me.
Buenas noches, princesa / príncipe.: Good night, princess / prince.
Te quiero. Buenas noches.: I love you. Good night.
Hasta mañana, dulces sueños.: Until tomorrow, sweet dreams.

Romantic / warm good nights combine buenas noches with terms of endearment and sleep wishes.

Pairings With Other Goodbyes

Buenas noches, hasta mañana.: Good night, see you tomorrow.
Buenas noches, nos vemos.: Good night, we'll see each other.
Buenas noches, cuídate.: Good night, take care.
Buenas noches, que descanses.: Good night, rest well.

Combine buenas noches with hasta mañana, nos vemos, cuídate for warmer parting.

Good Night in Spanish

Buenas Noches = Greeting AND Parting

Unlike English (where good evening greets and good night parts), Spanish uses buenas noches for both. Context determines whether you're saying hello (entering a place at night) or goodbye (going to bed).

Buenas noches. (could be greeting or parting)

Good evening / good night.

Buenas noches = both meanings.

Add Que Descanses for Sleep

Que descanses (rest well, informal) or que descanse (formal usted) is the warm addition for someone going to bed. Use que + subjunctive form.

Buenas noches, que descanses.

Good night, rest well.

Que descanses = rest well.

Dulces Sueños = Sweet Dreams

Dulces sueños (sweet dreams) is the warm before-bed wish. Often used between partners, parents and children. Que tengas dulces sueños = have sweet dreams (more complete).

Buenas noches, dulces sueños.

Good night, sweet dreams.

Dulces sueños = sweet dreams.

Buenas = Casual Short Form

Buenas (alone) is the casual short form of buenos días / buenas tardes / buenas noches. Used informally as a quick greeting any time of day. Common in Spain.

Buenas. (casual)

Hi.

Buenas = casual greeting.

Common Mistakes with How to Say Good Night in Spanish

Incorrect: Buena noche. — Good night.

Correct: Buenas noches. — Good night.

Buenas noches uses the plural form (idiomatic). Same as buenos días, buenas tardes. Always plural in time-of-day greetings.

Incorrect: Que descanse. (to a friend) — Rest well.

Correct: Que descanses. — Rest well.

Use tú form (descanses) with friends. Que descanse (usted form) is for formal contexts or to people you don't know. Match the relationship.

How to Say Good Night in Spanish FAQs

How do you say good night in Spanish?: Buenas noches. The same phrase works for greeting (good evening) AND parting (good night). Add que descanses (rest well) or dulces sueños (sweet dreams) for warmth before bed.
What's the difference between buenas noches as greeting and parting?: Context. Entering a restaurant at 9 PM: buenas noches = good evening (hello). Leaving someone before bed: buenas noches = good night (goodbye). The Spanish phrase is identical; the meaning depends on context.
How do I say sweet dreams in Spanish?: Dulces sueños = sweet dreams. Full form: Que tengas dulces sueños (have sweet dreams). Variations: Felices sueños (happy dreams), Que sueñes con los angelitos (dream of little angels, common with kids).
How do I say rest well in Spanish?: Que descanses (informal, with tú) or que descanse (formal, with usted). Both use que + subjunctive. Often paired: Buenas noches, que descanses.
Can I just say 'noches' as a greeting?: Buenas (alone) is a common casual short form for any time-of-day greeting in Spain. Just 'noches' alone is uncommon. Use buenas noches for clarity, or buenas if you want a casual quick greeting.