Translation guide
How to say goodbye in Japanese depends heavily on the situation, relationship, and whether you will see the person again soon. Direct translations of 'goodbye' are often too formal or final for daily use.
Saying bye to friends, family, or close colleagues in everyday situations.
Very common casual goodbye among friends. Implies you'll see each other again soon.
また明日！じゃあね。
See you tomorrow! Bye.
Literally 'again, right?'. Very common casual goodbye, like 'see you'.
楽しかった。またね！
That was fun. See you!
Casual, often used by younger people or with children. Sounds cute or informal.
バイバイ、また遊ぼうね。
Bye-bye, let's play again.
Saying goodbye in polite or formal settings, such as at work, with acquaintances, or in customer service.
Literally 'I'm being rude (by leaving)'. Standard polite phrase when leaving a room or ending a visit, especially at work.
お先に失礼します。
I'll be leaving now. (said when leaving work before others)
Formal 'goodbye'. Often implies a long separation or finality. Not used casually among friends.
Using さようなら with friends can sound distant or overly dramatic.
先生、さようなら。
Goodbye, teacher.
Literally 'stay well'. Used when you won't see someone for a long time.
それでは、お元気で。
Well then, take care.
What you say when you leave the house and expect to return.
Literally 'I'm going and coming back'. Said when leaving home. The response is 行ってらっしゃい.
学校に行ってきます！
I'm off to school!
Response to 行ってきます. Means 'go and come back safely'.
行ってらっしゃい、気をつけてね。
See you later, be careful.
What you say when you come back home.
Literally 'just now'. Said when you arrive home. The response is おかえり(なさい).
ただいま！
I'm home!
Response to ただいま. Means 'welcome back'.
おかえりなさい。ご飯できてるよ。
Welcome back. Dinner is ready.
Ending a phone conversation politely.
Common way to end a phone call, especially in business. Often preceded by それでは.
それでは、失礼します。
Well then, goodbye. (on the phone)
Casual phone goodbye with friends.
じゃあ、またね。
Okay, talk to you later.
Closing a letter or email.
Standard formal closing for letters, similar to 'Sincerely'.
以上、よろしくお願いいたします。敬具
Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,
Casual email closing among friends.
では、また連絡します。
Well, I'll be in touch.
さようなら is often taught as the standard 'goodbye', but it sounds very formal and final. In daily life, it's rarely used among friends or colleagues. Use じゃあね or またね instead.
友達に「さようなら」と言うと、変に思われるかもしれません。
If you say 'sayounara' to a friend, they might think it's strange.
When leaving your own home, use 行ってきます. When leaving someone else's place or a formal setting, use 失礼します. Mixing them up can sound odd.
友達の家を出るときは「お邪魔しました。失礼します」と言います。
When leaving a friend's house, you say 'Thanks for having me. Excuse me.'