Japanese dictionary
How to say "Goodbye" in Japanese
さようならさようなら · sayōnara
"Goodbye" in Japanese is さようなら (sayōnara), but it can sound final, like you won't meet again soon. In daily life, people say じゃあ、また (see you) or, at work, 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu).
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Ways to say "Goodbye" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| さようならさようなら · sayōnara | Goodbye (can sound final). |
| 失礼しますしつれいします · shitsurei shimasu | Goodbye (polite, leaving; ending a call). |
| じゃあ、またじゃあまた · jā, mata | Bye; see you (casual). |
| バイバイばいばい · baibai | Bye-bye (casual). |
How to use it
At the end of a phone call, say 失礼します.
School children say さようなら to their teachers at the end of the day.
Example sentences
- では、失礼します。De wa, shitsurei shimasu.Well, goodbye.
- じゃあ、また明日。Jā, mata ashita.Bye, see you tomorrow.
- 先生、さようなら。Sensei, sayōnara.Goodbye, teacher.
- バイバイ、またね。Baibai, mata ne.Bye-bye, see you.
- お先に失礼します。O-saki ni shitsurei shimasu.Goodbye, I'm leaving before you.
- お気をつけてお帰りください。O-ki o tsukete o-kaeri kudasai.Have a safe trip home.
Questions
Is さようなら used at work?
Rarely. At work, people say 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu) or お先に失礼します when leaving.
How do you end a phone call in Japanese?
Say それでは、失礼します (sore de wa, shitsurei shimasu), and wait for the other person to hang up first when talking with clients.
Using Japanese at work?
See Executive JapaneseExecutive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.