A guide to saying it like a local

How to Say "Sweet dreams" in French

Wish someone pleasant dreams in French with this common, affectionate phrase.

Fais de beaux rêves

feh duh bo rawvcasual

A single phrase, broken down

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Say this to a partner or close friend before they go to sleep. It's a sweet way to end a phone call or a visit in the evening.

Alternatives

  • Dors bienMore general, like 'sleep well'.
  • Bonne nuitThe standard 'good night', less specific about dreams.

Ways to get it wrong

Pronouncing 'rêves'

The French 'r' is guttural, made in the back of the throat, not like the English 'r'.

Ignoring the nasal vowel

The 'en' in 'beaux' is a nasal sound; don't pronounce the 'n' distinctly.

A small cultural note

This phrase is quite common and generally understood across age groups, though perhaps slightly more frequent among younger or more romantic couples.

The same phrase in other languages

Frequently asked

How to say sweet dreams to a stranger?

You generally wouldn't say 'Fais de beaux rêves' to a stranger. 'Bonne nuit' is the appropriate phrase for a casual goodbye at night.

Is 'Fais de beaux rêves' flirty?

It can be, especially if said to someone you're romantically interested in. It's affectionate and intimate.

What's the difference between 'Fais de beaux rêves' and 'Bonne nuit'?

'Bonne nuit' is a simple 'good night', while 'Fais de beaux rêves' specifically wishes pleasant dreams.

Do the French say sweet dreams?

Yes, the French have expressions for wishing someone sweet dreams. The most common way to say this is 'Fais de beaux rêves'.

How do you wish someone a sweet dream in French?

You can say 'Fais de beaux rêves' to a male or someone you are familiar with. For a female or someone you are familiar with, you would say 'Fais de beaux rêves'.

How do you say goodnight in a romantic way in French?

To say goodnight romantically, you can use 'Dors bien, mon amour' which means 'Sleep well, my love'. You can also say 'Je t'aime et fais de beaux rêves' meaning 'I love you and have sweet dreams'.

Is Bonne Nuit romantic?

Bonne nuit' simply means 'good night' and is not inherently romantic. To add a romantic touch, you would typically add a term of endearment or a phrase like 'sweet dreams'.