German Phrase
Gute Nacht, schlaf gut.
Meaning
A friendly bedtime wish meaning “Good night, sleep well.” It combines a standard farewell for the night with a personal hope that the listener will have a restful sleep.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are parting from someone in the evening, especially right before they go to bed. It works in informal settings with friends, family, or a partner.
✦Grammar Breakdown
GuteNacht,schlafgut.
Adjective ending –e
In the fixed phrase “Gute Nacht”, the adjective “gute” takes the weak ending –e because it modifies a feminine noun in the nominative case without an article.
Noun gender
Nacht is a feminine noun (die Nacht). The adjective must agree with it in gender, number, and case.
Imperative of schlafen
“schlaf” is the du‑imperative of the verb schlafen (to sleep). It is used for informal, familiar commands.
Adverb gut
“gut” is an adverb meaning “well”. It follows the verb in the imperative construction.
🗨In Conversation
Gute Nacht, schlaf gut.
Good night, sleep well.
Danke, du auch!
Thanks, you too!
✕Common Mistakes
Guten Nacht, schlaf gut.
Nacht is feminine, so the adjective must be “gute,” not “guten.”
Gute Nacht, schlafen gut.
In the imperative you drop the infinitive ending –en and use the du‑form “schlaf.”
Gute Nacht schlaf gut.
While “schlaf gut!” is fine alone, when paired with “Gute Nacht” you need a comma to separate the two clauses.
↔Alternatives
Gute Nacht, schlaf schön.
Good night, sleep nicely.
Gute Nacht, träum was Schönes.
Good night, dream something beautiful.
Schlaf gut!
Sleep well!
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking households, “Gute Nacht” is usually said after the lights are out and the bedtime routine is finished. It’s less common to say it right after dinner. The addition of “schlaf gut” is a warm, informal touch reserved for people you know well; with strangers you would simply say “Gute Nacht.”