Translation guide
Japanese has many ways to say goodbye, ranging from casual to formal. The most common everyday parting is じゃあね (jaa ne) or またね (mata ne) among friends. In more formal settings, さようなら (sayounara) is used, though it can imply a longer separation. Learners should be aware that direct translations of 'goodbye' are not always used; often, phrases like 'see you later' or situational expressions are more natural.
Used among friends, family, or in informal situations. Equivalent to 'bye', 'see ya', 'later'.
Very common casual goodbye. Can be shortened to じゃあ or じゃ.
じゃあね、また明日。
Bye, see you tomorrow.
Literally 'again, right?', meaning 'see you later'. Very friendly and common.
またね、気をつけて。
See you, take care.
Loanword from English 'bye-bye'. Used casually, especially by younger people or with children.
バイバイ、また遊ぼうね。
Bye-bye, let's play again.
Used in formal settings, with superiors, or when you may not see the person for a while.
The standard formal goodbye. Can imply a longer separation, so it's not used as casually as 'goodbye' in English.
先生、さようなら。
Goodbye, teacher.
Literally 'I'm being rude (by leaving)'. Used when leaving work, a meeting, or someone's office. Very common in business.
お先に失礼します。
Excuse me for leaving before you.
Literally 'stay healthy'. Used when you may not see someone for a long time.
お元気で、また会いましょう。
Take care, let's meet again.
Specific phrases used when leaving your own home or when someone leaves.
Said when leaving home, meaning 'I'm going and will come back'. The response is 行ってらっしゃい.
行ってきます！
I'm off! (See you later)
Response to 行ってきます, meaning 'go and come back safely'.
行ってらっしゃい、気をつけてね。
See you later, be careful.
Common ways to end a phone conversation.
Polite way to end a phone call, combining casual じゃあ with formal 失礼します.
じゃあ、失礼します。ありがとうございました。
Well then, goodbye. Thank you very much.
Literally 'I'll call again'. Used when you plan to talk again.
また電話します。じゃあね。
I'll call you again. Bye.
Used when parting for a long time or permanently.
Can be used for long-term farewells, but may sound final or dramatic.
さようなら、元気でね。
Goodbye, take care.
Literally 'it's a parting'. Used in formal or emotional farewells.
これでお別れです。お元気で。
This is goodbye. Take care.
さようなら is not used as frequently as 'goodbye' in English. It can sound too formal or final. In daily life, use じゃあね or またね with friends, and 失礼します in formal settings.
When leaving home, always use 行ってきます, not さようなら. 行ってきます implies you will return, while さようなら can imply a longer separation.