How to Say “Goodbye” in Japanese
Beyond Sayonara: A Complete Guide to Japanese Farewells
If you think saying goodbye in Japanese is as simple as “sayonara,” you’re in for a surprise! Just like greetings, Japanese farewells are incredibly nuanced and context-dependent. Using the wrong farewell can make you sound overly dramatic, cold, or even rude.
The truth is, γγγγͺγ (sayonara) is rarely used in everyday conversation. Most Japanese people opt for more specific, situation-appropriate farewells that reflect the time of day, the relationship between people, and whether they expect to see each other again soon.
This comprehensive guide will teach you all the essential ways to say goodbye in Japanese, from casual farewells with friends to formal workplace departures, and everything in between.
Table of Contents
Why You Shouldn’t Say “Sayonara”
Despite being the most famous Japanese word for “goodbye,” γγγγͺγ (sayonara) is rarely used in daily conversation. It carries a sense of finalityβas if you might not see the person again for a very long time, or ever.
When Sayonara IS Appropriate:
- When you truly won’t see someone for a very long time
- At graduation ceremonies or final farewells
- When breaking up with someone
- In dramatic or serious contexts
- When moving to another country
When Sayonara Sounds WEIRD:
- After work when you’ll see colleagues tomorrow
- Leaving a friend’s house when you’ll meet next week
- After a casual lunch with friends
- Any everyday, routine departure
The Japanese concept of ηΈ (en – connection/fate) influences language. Since relationships are valued and connections are maintained, most farewells assume you’ll meet again. Using sayonara suggests cutting that connection, which feels heavy for everyday situations.
Casual Goodbyes with Friends
These are the farewells you’ll actually use every day with friends, classmates, and casual acquaintances.
Meaning: “See you!” / “Bye!”
Usage: The most common casual goodbye among friends, classmates, and people of similar age
Variations:
- γγγ (jΔ) – Even more casual
- γγγγΎγ (jΔ mata) – “See you later”
- γγ (ja) – Super casual, quick goodbye
Meaning: “See you again!” / “Later!”
Usage: When you know you’ll see the person again soon
Variations:
- γΎγζζ₯ (mata ashita) – “See you tomorrow”
- γΎγζ₯ι± (mata raishΕ«) – “See you next week”
- γΎγδ»εΊ¦ (mata kondo) – “See you next time”
- γΎγγγ¨γ§ (mata ato de) – “See you later today”
Meaning: “Bye-bye!”
Usage: Common among young people, children, or in playful contexts. Borrowed from English “bye-bye.”
Who uses it:
- Children and teenagers
- Young women (casual, cute impression)
- Anyone in very casual, friendly situations
Other Casual Farewells:
γΎγγͺ (Mata na)
Formality: Very casual, slightly masculine
Usage: Mainly used by men with close friends
γ»γͺ (Hona) / γ»γγͺγ (Honnara)
Formality: Casual
Usage: Kansai dialect for “γγγγ” (jΔ ne)
Region: Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe area
Formal and Business Farewells
Literal meaning: “I’m being rude” / “Excuse me”
Usage: Formal way to excuse yourself when leaving
When to use:
- Leaving someone’s office or workspace
- Exiting a meeting before others
- Leaving a formal event early
- Ending a phone call politely
- Leaving any formal situation
Past tense: ε€±η€ΌγγΎγγ (shitsurei shimashita) – Used after leaving or interrupting
Meaning: “Well then…” / “So…”
Usage: Polite way to signal you’re leaving; more formal than γγγ
Common phrases:
- γ§γ―γγΎγ (dewa, mata) – “Well then, see you again”
- γ§γ―γε€±η€ΌγγΎγ (dewa, shitsurei shimasu) – “Well then, I’ll excuse myself”
- γ§γ―γγγγγγι‘γγγΎγ (dewa, yoroshiku onegai shimasu) – “Well then, please take care”
Business Email/Letter Closings:
γγγγγι‘γγγγγΎγ (Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu)
Usage: Very formal business emails
Meaning: “I humbly ask for your kind consideration”
δ»εΎγ¨γγγγγγι‘γγγΎγ (Kongo tomo yoroshiku onegai shimasu)
Usage: “I look forward to working with you in the future”
Leaving and Returning Home
Japanese has special farewell phrases specifically for leaving home and returningβthese are some of the most important daily expressions.
Literal meaning: “I’ll go and come back”
Usage: Said when leaving home, implying you’ll return
Response: θ‘γ£γ¦γγ£γγγ (itterasshai) – “Go and come back (safely)”
Cultural significance: This phrase pair represents the warmth of Japanese home life and the expectation of return. Even people living alone often say it!
Literal meaning: “Just now” (I’m back)
Usage: Said when returning home
Response: γεΈ°γγͺγγ (okaerinasai) or γεΈ°γ (okaeri) – “Welcome back”
Note: Many Japanese people say “tadaima” even when living aloneβit’s that ingrained in the culture!
The θ‘γ£γ¦γγΎγ (ittekimasu) / θ‘γ£γ¦γγ£γγγ (itterasshai) and γγ γγΎ (tadaima) / γεΈ°γγͺγγ (okaerinasai) exchanges are fundamental to Japanese home life. They acknowledge the temporary separation and the joy of reunion, reinforcing family bonds and the concept of home as a safe haven.
Time-Based Farewells
γγγγΏγͺγγ (Oyasuminasai) – Good Night
Pronunciation: oh-ya-soo-mee-na-sai
Usage: Said when going to bed or saying goodbye late at night
Casual form: γγγγΏ (oyasumi)
γγγγΏγͺγγ (oyasuminasai) is for parting at night or before bed. If you’re just leaving someone’s house in the evening but not going to sleep, use other farewells like γγγγ (jΔ ne) or ε€±η€ΌγγΎγ (shitsurei shimasu).
Workplace Farewells
Literal meaning: “You must be tired” / “Thank you for your hard work”
Usage: The most common workplace farewell in Japan
When to use:
- When a colleague finishes work and leaves
- When you’re leaving the office
- After completing a project together
- When passing colleagues in the hallway
Past tense: γη²γζ§γ§γγ (otsukaresama deshita) – Used when the work is completely done
γε γ«ε€±η€ΌγγΎγ (Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu)
Literal meaning: “I’ll be rude by going ahead”
Usage: When leaving work before others or leaving a meeting early
Shows: Politeness and awareness that you’re leaving while others continue working
γε γ« (Osaki ni)
Usage: Casual/shortened version of the above
Context: Among colleagues of similar level
Special Situation Farewells
Traveling/Long Absence
θ‘γ£γ¦γγ£γγγLeaving School
γγγγͺγGraduation/Final Farewell
γγγγͺγEnding Phone Calls
ε€±η€ΌγγΎγLeaving a Store
γγγγ¨γγγγγΎγγNo specific goodbye neededβstaff will say:
γγγγ¨γγγγγΎγγBreaking Up
γγγγͺγQuick Reference: Japanese Farewells
| Phrase | Romaji | Formality | Context | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| γγγγ | JΔ ne | Casual | Friends | Most common casual goodbye |
| γΎγγ | Mata ne | Casual | Friends | See you again soon |
| γγ€γγ€ | Bai bai | Very Casual | Young/Playful | From English “bye-bye” |
| ε€±η€ΌγγΎγ | Shitsurei shimasu | Formal | Business | Excusing yourself politely |
| γ§γ― | Dewa | Polite | General | “Well then…” |
| θ‘γ£γ¦γγΎγ | Ittekimasu | Neutral | Leaving Home | I’m going (and will return) |
| γγγγΏγͺγγ | Oyasuminasai | Neutral | Bedtime | Good night |
| γη²γζ§γ§γ | Otsukaresama desu | Polite | Workplace | Thank you for your work |
| γγγγͺγ | Sayonara | Neutral | Final/Dramatic | Use sparingly in daily life! |
| ζ°γγ€γγ¦ | Ki wo tsukete | Casual-Polite | General | Take care / Be careful |
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Choose the Right Farewell
Which farewell would you use in these situations?
- Leaving work at 5 PM while your colleagues stay
- Saying goodbye to a friend after lunch (you’ll see them next week)
- Leaving home for school in the morning
- Going to bed at night
- Leaving a formal business meeting
- Saying goodbye to your best friend after hanging out
- Returning home from work
- Ending a phone call with a close friend
- γε γ«ε€±η€ΌγγΎγ (Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu) + γη²γζ§γ§γγ (Otsukaresama deshita)
- γγγγ (JΔ ne) or γΎγζ₯ι± (Mata raishΕ«)
- θ‘γ£γ¦γγΎγ (Ittekimasu)
- γγγγΏγͺγγ (Oyasuminasai) or γγγγΏ (Oyasumi)
- ε€±η€ΌγγΎγ (Shitsurei shimasu)
- γγγγ (JΔ ne) or γΎγγ (Mata ne)
- γγ γγΎ (Tadaima)
- γγγγ (JΔ ne) or γγγγΎγ (JΔ mata)
Exercise 2: What’s Wrong?
Identify the problem with these farewell choices:
- After work, saying to your boss: γγ€γγ€οΌ
- Leaving home in the morning: γγγγͺγοΌ
- To a friend you’ll see tomorrow: γγγγͺγγγΎγζζ₯
- When going to bed: θ‘γ£γ¦γγΎγ
- Problem: γγ€γγ€ is too casual for a boss. Use γη²γζ§γ§γγ (Otsukaresama deshita) or ε€±η€ΌγγΎγ (Shitsurei shimasu)
- Problem: γγγγͺγ implies you might not return! Use θ‘γ£γ¦γγΎγ (Ittekimasu)
- Problem: γγγγͺγ contradicts “see you tomorrow.” Use γγγγγγΎγζζ₯ (JΔ ne, mata ashita)
- Problem: θ‘γ£γ¦γγΎγ is for leaving home, not going to bed. Use γγγγΏγͺγγ (Oyasuminasai)
Exercise 3: Complete the Dialogue
Fill in the appropriate farewells:
Scenario 1: Leaving home for work
You: ___________! (I’m leaving!)
Family: ___________! (Have a good day!)
Scenario 2: Leaving the office
You: ___________. (I’m leaving before you)
Colleague: ___________. (Good work today)
Scenario 1:
You: θ‘γ£γ¦γγΎγ (Ittekimasu)
Family: θ‘γ£γ¦γγ£γγγ (Itterasshai)
Scenario 2:
You: γε γ«ε€±η€ΌγγΎγ (Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu)
Colleague: γη²γζ§γ§γγ (Otsukaresama deshita)
Key Takeaways:
- β Avoid γγγγͺγ (sayonara) for everyday goodbyes
- β γγγγ (jΔ ne) is your go-to casual farewell
- β ε€±η€ΌγγΎγ (shitsurei shimasu) for formal situations
- β Use θ‘γ£γ¦γγΎγ (ittekimasu) when leaving home
- β γη²γζ§γ§γ (otsukaresama desu) is essential for workplace farewells
- β Match your farewell to the relationship and context
- β Consider whether you’ll see the person again soon
Final Thoughts
Mastering Japanese farewells is about more than memorizing phrasesβit’s about understanding the nuances of relationships, timing, and context. The right farewell shows cultural awareness and respect for social norms.
Remember: in most everyday situations, you’ll rarely use γγγγͺγ (sayonara). Instead, you’ll rely on context-specific farewells like γγγγ (jΔ ne), γΎγγ (mata ne), γη²γζ§γ§γ (otsukaresama desu), and ε€±η€ΌγγΎγ (shitsurei shimasu).
The more you practice these in real situations, the more natural they’ll become. Pay attention to how native speakers say goodbye in different contexts, and don’t be afraid to adapt your farewells to match the situation!
Iβm a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. Iβm passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
