Korean Dictionary
How to say "Sleep well" in Korean
“Sleep well” in Korean is 잘 자요 (pronounced "Jal jayo").
잘 자요
Jal jayo
Usage & Context
Wishing someone a good night's sleep. 숙면하세요 is a more formal way to say 'please have a deep sleep'. Commonly sent as a bedtime message via text in Korean culture. Shows affection and care, especially between close friends and family.
Example Sentence
오늘 많이 피곤하죠? 잘 자요. 좋은 꿈 꿔요!
You must be tired today. Sleep well. Have good dreams!
How to use 잘 자요 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Sleep well” is 잘 자요, romanized as Jal jayo.
Usage tip
Check the politeness level before using this word. Korean greetings often change depending on age, relationship, and setting.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 잘 자요.
What learners usually mean by “Sleep well in Korean”
People usually want a bedtime message, but Korean changes by closeness and politeness.
Real usage
잘 자요 is polite and warm. 잘 자 is casual. 안녕히 주무세요 is respectful for elders or people you should speak to politely.
Avoid this mistake
Do not use 잘 자 with elders, teachers, or managers unless you are already close and speaking casually.
Better pattern
Use 잘 자 with close people, 잘 자요 for gentle politeness, and 안녕히 주무세요 for respectful bedtime wishes.
close friend or partner
오늘 고생했어. 잘 자.
You worked hard today. Sleep well.
respectful family speech
어머니, 안녕히 주무세요.
Mother, sleep well.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'jahl jah-yoh' — 'jal' rhymes with 'doll,' 'ja' sounds like 'jaw,' and 'yo' is the polite ending rhyming with 'dough.' Keep it soft and warm.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
안녕히 주무세요
annyeonghi jumuseyo
High-formality bedtime greeting — use with elders, in-laws, or employers
Casual (반말)
잘 자
jal ja
Dropped polite ending — used with close friends, kids, or romantic partners
More Example Sentences
ending a late-night phone call
오빠, 잘 자요. 내일 봐요!
Good night, oppa. See you tomorrow!
tucking a child into bed
아가야, 푹 자. 엄마 사랑해.
Sleep tight, baby. Mommy loves you.
saying goodnight to an elder before bed
할머니, 안녕히 주무세요.
Goodnight, grandma.
Cultural Context
Sending 잘 자요 texts at night is a hallmark of Korean dating culture — for many couples it's an unspoken rule to exchange 굿밤 (good night) messages, and skipping it can be taken as a sign something is wrong. Parents and grandparents get the more formal 안녕히 주무세요, while close friends use the playful 굿밤 or simply 잘자. In K-dramas, a whispered 잘 자 paired with a soft smile is shorthand for romantic tension reaching its sweet spot.
Editorial note
We check greetings like 잘 자요 for politeness and timing, since Korean greetings change with relationship, age, and setting.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
잘 자, 내 꿈 꿔.
Sleep well — dream of me.
오늘도 수고했어요. 잘 자요.
Good work today. Sleep well.
푹 자고 내일 봐요.
Sleep tight, see you tomorrow.
Related Expressions
굿밤
gutbam
good night (Konglish slang)
좋은 꿈 꿔요
joeun kkum kkwoyo
have sweet dreams
푹 자
puk ja
sleep deeply / soundly
불면증
bulmyeonjeung
insomnia (antonym concept)
More Greetings Words
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