KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean phrases › Friends & social media › 잘 자!
How to Say “Sleep well” in Korean: 잘 자! (jal ja!)
잘 자!
jal ja!
Meaning
Sleep well!
Usage note
The casual “good night” for friends and family. The polite form is 안녕히 주무세요, but 잘 자 is enough for friends. It is also common at the end of a chat.
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
Practical guide
When to use it
The last greeting of the night, for friends, family, a partner or younger people. It is also a common way to end a chat.
Watch out
To elders use 안녕히 주무세요, the respectful form. If you just want to be a little more polite with someone you know, 잘 자요 works too.
How to pronounce it
It is pronounced just as it is written.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 잘 | ㅈ+ㅏ+ㄹ | jal |
| 자 | ㅈ+ㅏ | ja |
Speech style
No -요 at the end. Used with close friends, younger people and family; avoid it with strangers and elders.
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “잘 자!” mean?
Show the answer
Answer: Sleep well
Question 2 How do you say “Sleep well” in Korean?
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Answer: 잘 자! jal ja!
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