6 Wonderful Ways To Say Good Night In Korean

Say Good Night In Korean

Saying good night has been a part of our everyday routine. If we know how to start the day with a morning greeting, make sure that we also know how to end the day with a night greeting. So put on your 잠옷 (jamot) pajamas and turn off the lights. This blog will learn how to say Good Night in Korean 잘 자요 (jal jayo) language.

Upon learning the basic greetings in Korean, you have undoubtedly encountered other greetings at different times of the day. Just remember that Good Evening 좋은 저녁 (joheun jeonyeok)and Good Night 잘 자요 (jal jayo). ‘Good Evening’ is used as a greeting from 6 pm until 11:59 pm. But, on the other hand, a good night is commonly used before you sleep or to say Goodbye to someone after being with them the rest of the day. So, the “How to say Good Night in Korean in different ways?” 


How Do You Say Goodnight In Korean?

There are many ways to say good night in the Korean language, but the term that you’ve probably heard the most is 잘 자요 (Jal Jayo), which literally translates as “sleep well.” 

You will get to know more about these phrases in this section, but first, remember that courtesy and politeness are a big deal in Korean culture. In fact, they have levels of politeness, meaning that the way they speak to people varies depending on their social hierarchy. Every word you express in this language must be carefully thought out, depending on who you are talking to. Therefore, if your goal is to learn Korean, make sure to understand the formal and informal expressions, grammar structures, tones, and gestures to avoid sounding rude to locals.

That being said, you can start to learn about the ways to say Good Night in Korean in standard, formal, and informal forms. Let’s begin!

What Is The Standard Way To Say Good Night In Korean?

jal jayo good night in korean formal

Foreigners or beginners commonly use the standard way of saying good night to someone. This form is not too formal but not too informal either to sound rude. So if you are a beginner, you may start learning to say good night in Korean using these phrases.

You will find a variety of phrases to say Good Night, but the most standard ways include the terms ‘well’ and ‘good.’ The word for good in Korean is 좋다 (jota), and well is 잘 (jal). 

See the following examples:

잘 자요 (Jal Jayo)

Meaning: Sleep Well

This is the most common standard way to say Good Night in Korean. The Korean verb 자다 (jada) means “to sleep” while 잘 (jal) means “well”. If we combined them together, it means “sleep well.”

좋은 꿈 꿔요 (Joeun Kkum Kkwoyo)

Meaning:  Dream some good dreams.

Another way to say Good Night in Korean using the standard way is 좋은 꿈 꿔요 (Joeun Kkum Kkwoyo). In this phrase, 좋은 (joeun) means “good” and 꿈을 꾸다 (kkumeul kkuda) means “to dream”. 꿈을 꾸다 (kkumeul kkuda) is an example of a Korean verb formed using two separate words.

So, if you literally translate this verb in English, it means “dream dreams”. But of course, when you put it into phrase, you’ll get “Dream some good dreams.” as a translation.

What Is The Formal Korean Term To Say Good Night?

formal way to say good night

Now that you have learned the standard way to say Good Night in Korean let’s proceed formally. This form of spoken Korean language is used when you’re talking to someone much older than you or strangers. It is a sign of respect in Korean culture to speak politely to these people. So, please remember these phrases:

안녕히 주무세요 (Annyeonghi Jumuseyo)

Meaning: Good night / Sleep peacefully.

The Korean word  안녕히 (annyeonghi) means peacefully. To construct the formal form of the word “sleep” in Korean, you should use the word 주무세요 (jumuseyo). This is the formal version of 자다 (jada | to sleep). This is the most common way to say Good Night in Korean formally.

편안한 밤 되세요 (Pyeonanhan Bam Doeseyo)

Meaning: Have a comfortable night.

Another formal version of Good Night in Korean is 편안한 밤 되세요 (Pyeonanhan Bam Doeseyo). This phrase is formed using the Korean verb 편안하다 (pyeonanhada), which means “to be comfortable” and 밤 (bam), which means “night.” So if you put it together, it will literally mean “Have a comfortable night.”

How Do You Say Korean In A Cute Way? (Informal Form)

As we all know, we only use the informal form for our friends or someone younger than us. We cannot say these phrases to strangers or people older than us. These phrases that you’ll learn can also be used in texting or chatting with someone to say Good Night since these are informal ways. 

jal jayo good night in korean formal

잘 자 (Jal Ja)

Meaning: Sleep well. / Good Night

If you are looking for a way to say good night to someone younger or the same age as you, this is the phrase you’re looking for. 잘 자 (jal ja) is the most common informal way to say Good Night in Korean. The Korean verb 자다 (jada) means “to sleep,” but to make it informal, just use the word 자 (ja). The Korean word 잘 (jal) still means “well.” It can also become a cute way of saying good night too.

좋은 꿈 꿔 (Joeun Kkum Kkwo)

If you understood the second standard way to say Good Night in Korean, this one would be easy for you because it has the same words. Just remove the word 요 (yo) which indicates a bit of formality.

Larn how to say Good Night in Korean with the Ling app

Korean Words And Phrases Related To Sleep

Now that you have learned the different ways to say Good Night in Korean, here are some Korean words and phrases that you can practice to widen your vocabulary and improve your spoken language. But if you want to learn more, check out Ling app for additional free lessons.

English TranslationKorean PronunciationSound
sleepjam
dream꿈꾸다kkum kkuda
nightbam
nighttime야간yagan
midnight한밤중hanbamjung
to sleep잠을 자다jam-eul jada
to be sleepy졸리다jollida
to fall asleep잠들다jamdeulda
Did you sleep well (informal)잘 잤어?jal jasseo
Did you sleep well? (formal)안녕히 주무셨어요?annyeonghi jumusyeosseoyo
Did you sleep well? (standard)잘 잤어요?jal jasseoyo
I go to sleep around midnight나는 자정 무렵에 잔다naneun jajeong muryeobe janda
Can you turn off the lights?불 좀 꺼줄래요?Bul jom kkeojullaeyo?
Maybe we should sleep on this and try again tomorrow.오늘 조금 더 생각해 보고 내일 다시 시도해 볼까요?Oneul jogeum deo saenggakae bogo naeil dasi sidohae bolkkayo?
I don’t need paradise because I found you. I don’t need dreams because I have you.당신을 찾았기 때문에 천국은 필요 없습니다. 당신이 있기 때문에 꿈은 필요 없습니다.Dangsineul chajatgi ttaemune cheongugeun piryo eopsseumnida. Dangsini itgi ttaemune kkumeun piryo eopsseumnida.
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Make Your Nights Productive With The Ling App!

Do you want to learn Korean, but don’t have time during your busy daytime schedule? Worry no more because Ling App can be your Korean language learning partner any time of the day. If you love using your phone before you sleep, why not go to Ling app and learn Korean words and phrases?

The Ling app has a variety of topics you can choose from. You can try audio recordings by native speakers, games, and visuals are included to support your learning. With Ling app, you can learn Korean or any other language anytime and anywhere you want. Download it on the Play Store or App Store and turn your nights into a language learning experience through Ling app!

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