Translation guide
The English expression 'good-bye' is used when parting. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is さようなら, but it is more formal and often implies a longer separation. In daily casual situations, other phrases are more natural.
Saying good-bye in everyday, informal situations.
Very common casual farewell among friends, family, or close colleagues. Equivalent to 'See you' or 'Bye'.
じゃあね、また明日。
Bye, see you tomorrow.
Casual, often used by younger people or in very informal settings. Borrowed from English 'bye-bye'.
バイバイ、気をつけてね。
Bye-bye, take care.
Literally 'again, right?', meaning 'See you later'. Very common among friends.
またね、楽しかったよ。
See you, that was fun.
Saying good-bye in formal settings, to superiors, or when you may not see the person for a while.
The standard formal good-bye. Often used in schools or when parting for a long time. Can sound too stiff for daily casual use.
先生、さようなら。
Good-bye, teacher.
Literally 'I will be rude (and leave)'. Used when leaving a workplace, a meeting, or someone's office. Polite.
お先に失礼します。
Excuse me for leaving before you.
Used when you don't expect to see the person for a long time, meaning 'Take care' or 'Stay well'.
お元気で、また会う日まで。
Take care, until we meet again.
Saying good-bye when leaving the house or when someone is leaving.
Said when leaving home, literally 'I'm going and coming 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, take care.
Ending a phone conversation.
Common way to end a phone call, especially in business or formal contexts.
では、失礼します。
Well then, good-bye.
Casual phone good-bye with friends.
じゃあね、また電話する。
Bye, I'll call you again.
さようなら can sound overly dramatic or final in casual daily situations. It is often reserved for formal good-byes or when you won't see someone for a long time. For everyday partings, use じゃあね, バイバイ, or またね instead.
行ってきます is specifically for leaving home (or sometimes the office temporarily) and implies you will return. さようなら is a general good-bye without that implication.