Translation guide
A send-off is a social event or gesture to say goodbye to someone who is leaving. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 送別会 (farewell party), but expressions vary depending on the context, such as seeing someone off at the airport or giving a warm farewell.
A social event organized to say goodbye to someone leaving a workplace, school, or community.
The standard term for a farewell party. It can be used in both formal and casual settings.
来週、田中さんの送別会があります。
There will be a farewell party for Mr. Tanaka next week.
送別会でスピーチを頼まれました。
I was asked to give a speech at the farewell party.
A slightly softer, more personal term for a farewell gathering. Often used for children or informal settings.
幼稚園でお別れ会を開きました。
We held a farewell party at the kindergarten.
A send-off party specifically for someone embarking on a new challenge, like a sports team or a colleague transferring to a new post. Has a connotation of encouragement.
選手たちのために壮行会が開かれた。
A send-off party was held for the athletes.
The physical act of accompanying someone to their departure point, such as a station or airport, to say goodbye.
The act of seeing someone off. Can be used as a noun or with the verb する (to see off).
空港まで見送りに行った。
I went to the airport to see him off.
駅で友達を見送った。
I saw my friend off at the station.
Polite form of 見送り, often used in service contexts or when speaking formally.
お見送りはここまでで結構です。
You don't need to see me off any further.
A general expression of bidding someone farewell with warmth or enthusiasm, not necessarily a party.
Literally 'warm send-off', used to describe a heartfelt farewell.
温かい見送りをありがとうございました。
Thank you for the warm send-off.
A grand or elaborate send-off, often with many people.
彼は盛大な見送りを受けて旅立った。
He departed with a grand send-off.
送別会 is a general farewell party, while 壮行会 specifically encourages someone starting a new endeavor. Use 壮行会 for athletes, colleagues transferring to a challenging post, or students going abroad to study.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'send-off'. Avoid direct translations like 送り出し (which means 'sending out' but not a farewell event). Use the appropriate term based on context.
チームはファンから熱い見送りを受けた。
The team got a rousing send-off from the fans.