ਸ਼ੁਭ ਰਾਤਰੀ

Good night in Punjabi is ਸ਼ੁਭ ਰਾਤਰੀ (shubh raatri), the form for messages and formal use. But listen at a Punjabi doorway at bedtime and you will hear something warmer: ਰੱਬ ਰਾਖਾ (rabb raakha), may God protect you, the parting blessing that Punjabis use at every farewell, night included. This page gives both, so you can write the formal one and speak the living one.

The phrase, part by part

ਸ਼ੁਭ (shubh) - good, auspicious

ਰਾਤਰੀ (raatri) - night, the formal form of the everyday word ਰਾਤ (raat)

ਰੱਬ ਰਾਖਾ (rabb raakha) - may God protect you; rabb is God, raakha the protector

ਸ਼ੁਭ ਰਾਤ (shubh raat) - the shorter form heard in quick speech

When to use it

Send ਸ਼ੁਭ ਰਾਤਰੀ (shubh raatri) in a message and it reads perfectly. Saying goodnight in person, especially to elders, ਰੱਬ ਰਾਖਾ ਜੀ (rabb raakha ji) carries the house's love with it, and to children a parent adds the practical words: ਸੌਂ ਜਾਓ, ਸਵੇਰੇ ਮਿਲਦੇ ਹਾਂ (saun jaao, savere milde haan), sleep now, we will meet in the morning.

The everyday word for night is ਰਾਤ (raat), and it anchors the time words on the time words page. Its mirror greeting, for the other end of the night, is on the good morning page.

What people say back

ਸ਼ੁਭ ਰਾਤਰੀ ਜੀ (shubh raatri ji) - good night, returned with respect

ਰੱਬ ਰਾਖਾ (rabb raakha) - may God protect you, returned

ਸਵੇਰੇ ਮਿਲਦੇ ਹਾਂ (savere milde haan) - see you in the morning

How do you say good night in Punjabi?

Good night in Punjabi is ਸ਼ੁਭ ਰਾਤਰੀ (shubh raatri). In person, families often say ਰੱਬ ਰਾਖਾ (rabb raakha), may God protect you, instead.

What does rabb raakha mean?

ਰੱਬ ਰਾਖਾ (rabb raakha) means may God protect you. It is the warm Punjabi parting at any hour, and the most common spoken goodnight.

What is the Punjabi word for night?

Night in Punjabi is ਰਾਤ (raat) in everyday speech; ਰਾਤਰੀ (raatri) is its formal form, used in the greeting ਸ਼ੁਭ ਰਾਤਰੀ (shubh raatri).