NetChai Chinese
晚安
wǎn ān
Good night

晚安 (wǎn ān) is the standard and most common way to say "good night" in Mandarin Chinese. It's used when parting ways with someone in the evening, or when someone is going to bed.

When to use it

Neutral and polite. It's appropriate for most situations. For a warmer or more caring tone, especially to someone going to sleep, you might say 早点休息 (zǎo diǎn xiūxi, "get some rest early") or 祝你睡个好觉 (zhù nǐ shuì gè hǎo jiào, "wish you a good sleep"). When someone says 晚安 to you, you can simply reply 晚安.

How to pronounce it

Sounds like "wahn-AHN." Both characters are pronounced with a high, flat first tone.

Other ways to say it

  • 早点休息zǎo diǎn xiū xiget some rest early (caring)
  • 祝你睡个好觉zhù nǐ shuì gè hǎo juéwish you a good sleep
  • 晚安啦wǎn ān lāgood night (softer, casual)

Examples

妈妈,晚安!
mā ma , wǎn ān !
Mom, good night!
我先走了,晚安。
wǒ xiān zǒu le , wǎn ān 。
I'm leaving now, good night.
晚安,明天见!
wǎn ān , míng tiān jiàn !
Good night, see you tomorrow!
Pro tip: Unlike "good morning" or "good afternoon," 晚安 is primarily a farewell or a wish for a peaceful night, used specifically when someone is going to bed or when you are parting ways for the evening, not generally as a greeting.

Related phrases

你好 · Hello你好吗 · How are you早上好 · Good morning
Want to speak Chinese for real?
Start a free lesson with a native teacher →