Japanese word

おやすみ

Pronunciation

Romajioyasumi

Meaning

  • noungood night

Example

毎晩、家族に「おやすみ」と言います。mai ban ka zoku ni o ya su mi to i i ma su

Every night, I say good night to my family.

Illustration for おやすみ (good night)

More examples

電話を切る前に、母におやすみを言います。den wa o ki ru mae ni haha ni o ya su mi o i i ma su

Before hanging up, I say good night to my mother.

Core concept

Signals a pause from ordinary activity, most often as a warm nighttime farewell before sleep, while also naming sleep or a day away from work.

Common phrases

  • おやすみなさいo ya su mi na sa i

    good night

Similar words

休みyasumi: A period when regular work or activity stops.

Definition in Japanese

眠りにつく人に向けて、夜の別れやいたわりを表すあいさつ。また、眠ることや、仕事などを休む日。nemu ri ni tsu ku hito ni mu ke te yoru no waka re ya i ta wa ri o arawa su a i sa tsu ma ta nemu ru ko to ya shi goto na do o yasu mu hi

Word origin

おやすみ (oyasumi) is formed from the prefix お (o, honorific prefix) and 休み (yasumi, "rest"), which comes from 休む (yasumu, "to rest").

Usage tips

  • In notices and schedules, おやすみ (oyasumi) often marks a closed day or a break from regular service rather than a person's bedtime.

Other meanings

  • day offnoun
  • sleepnoun

Word lists with this word