Italian Phrase
Buonanotte
Meaning
Buonanotte is the most common way to say goodnight in Italian. It is a compound of 'buona' (good) and 'notte' (night), used specifically when someone is going to bed or leaving for the night. Unlike English where 'goodnight' can sometimes be a greeting, in Italian, it is strictly a farewell.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are finishing an evening or right before going to sleep. It is appropriate for friends, family, and even in formal settings when departing late at night.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Buonanotte
Gender Agreement
'Buona' is the feminine form of the adjective 'buono' because 'notte' is a feminine noun.
Compound Nouns
In Italian, common greetings often merge into a single word over time, which is why 'buonanotte' is the preferred spelling over 'buona notte'.
🗨In Conversation
Sono molto stanco, vado a letto.
I am very tired, I'm going to bed.
Va bene, buonanotte!
Alright, goodnight!
✕Common Mistakes
Buonasera, vado a dormire.
Buonasera means 'Good evening' and is used as a greeting when arriving; use Buonanotte when leaving to sleep.
Buona notte
While technically acceptable as two words, it is much more common and standard to write it as the single compound word 'buonanotte'.
↔Alternatives
Sogni d'oro
Sweet dreams
Dormi bene
Sleep well
Cultural Tip
In Italian culture, saying 'Buonanotte' to someone you live with is a sign of affection and closure for the day. If you are at a social gathering that is still ongoing, you would say it only to those you are leaving, while 'Buonasera' is used if you are just arriving after 5 PM.