14 Useful Ways to Say Goodbye in Japanese

There are many more variations that native Japanese speakers use than the few farewell greetings such as `さよなら or また、あした. I learned in my Japanese class. 

We have farewell words for everyday life, business, and Farewell quotes that you can use to say goodbye. Improve its expressiveness by using it correctly!

If you want to use English farewell greetings more naturally with your native friends, here are some alternatives to “さよなら.”

What is another word for goodbye in Japanese?: 14 Useful Expressions

1.じゃあね (Bye)

The following is a basic farewell greeting. You can say it to anyone, and it’s short and straightforward. In addition to friends, family, colleagues, and business associates, it can also be used by them. “bye” can also be added after the phrase when using other expressions.

2.バイバイ (Bye-bye) 

When talking to children, this is a cute, slightly childish expression. “Bye-bye” is sometimes said by adults when they know each other well and want to flirt or appear appealing. Please keep it away from colleagues and business associates.

3.また後でね/また今度ね/後で話そうね (See you later/See you soon/Talk to you later)

Anyone can use these expressions, from colleagues to friends. Try adding these to the front if you feel that “bye” alone sounds too casual. 

4. さようなら (Bye)     

In everyday life, it is used as an expression to say さよなら. It is commonly used as a farewell greeting regardless of gender or age. There is a slight extension to “バイ.”

5.またね (See you.)

In conversations with friends and colleagues who you will see again soon, you use the “またね.” instead of the “さよなら..” You use this expression idiomatically.

Patterns with words following See you are familiar, such as “また今度 See you later.” “See you later,” “またあとで” and “See you soon. またあとすぐ”

6.気をつけて (Take care.)

In addition to meaning “Take care,” it can also mean “じゃ” or “またね see you” when you meet someone frequently and “be fine” when you haven’t seen them for a while.

A typical response is, “You, too. あなたも” Or “I will.そうするよ.”

7.よい一日を (Have a nice day.)    

In addition to being used between friends, this expression is often used to address strangers, such as shop assistants, restaurant clerks, and people who ask for directions. It feels great when you are sent off with “Have a nice day,よい一日を” it feels great.

You can reply, “Thank you.” ありがとう or “You, too.” あなたも.

8.行かなくては (I have to go.) 

It is used when breaking up, such as when going home from a party or wrapping up a story that doesn’t end well.

“行かなくては” Means “I have to go,” but because the wording is straightforward, it may sound rough. We will disappointingly use this expression, saying we are eager to be there. Other words with the same meaning but are softer include “I’ve got to go,” “I’ve got to take off,” and “I should get going.” There will be a few complications, but please remember and use them.

9. お会いできて良かったです (It was nice seeing you. )

My parting expression is a word with a greeting added. Having fun is the first saying, “I’m glad I met you.” A similar expression would be, “Nice to see you.”. 

10.さびしくなるよ I’ll miss you.

Often used when breaking up with someone who cannot meet you for a while, さびしくなるよ” means “I’ll be lonely if I can’t meet you.” If you use going to (the abbreviation for going to is going to) instead of will, you will mean that you will miss the person you will miss.

11.連絡を取り合おうね Let’s keep in touch

You can contact me whenever you want, but I won’t be able to meet you soon.

In this case, maintain contact means “maintain contact,” and maintain contact with You means “maintain contact.”

12. また明日 See you tomorrow

Additionally, some phrases refer to when you see the person again, such as また明日 see you tomorrow, or また来週 (またらいしゅう), see you next week. Since the simple forms are still considered informal, formal phrases should be used instead.

13. 行って来ます I’m leaving home

When you leave your house, say 行って来ます it means “go and come back.” When you slip your shoes on at the front door, it usually means “go and come back.”

14.お先に失礼します Excuse me for leaving first

People in Japan work long hours, as is well known. Japanese people usually stay at their desks when it’s time to finish work, unlike people in western countries. People politely excuse themselves from leaving the office when they need to go by saying: お先に失礼します 

What is the most formal way of saying goodbye in Japanese?

In Japanese, there are two formal ways to say goodbye. Below is a table that you can check:

  • さようなら Goodbye
  • さらば Farewell

As a word made stateside, sayonara is familiar to Japanese people, and in most situations, it’s okay to use. As Americans usually say “goodbye” instead of the formal “goodbye,” Japanese people don’t use sayonara much as well, unless The last time they saw you were long ago. If you use it, they’ll be okay with it but say something else when they part ways.

There is a much greater sense of seriousness in Saraba than it is in Farewell. An old-fashioned phrase for when someone doesn’t expect to see you again. Unless someone is being serious or saying it jokingly, you won’t need to use this one.

What does Osewa NI Narimasu mean?

The phrase Osewa ni Narimasu is used at various times in life, and this phrase is indispensable when expressing gratitude to those caring for us. Still, we will briefly introduce it, from example sentences to paraphrasing and English expressions.

Osewa NI Narimasu” has the meaning of “せわ taking care” and “めんどう troublesome things.”

A farewell greeting means “taking care,” while a greeting when someone helps you means “a troublesome thing that takes time and effort.”. Nonetheless, it means thanking the person who helped.

People who meet for the first time cannot use the “Osewa NI Narimashita. “ Whenever you write the first email, instead of “Thank you for your help,” write “I will contact you for the first time.”

Does Shitsurei Shimasu mean goodbye?

A formal goodbye is called a shitsurei shimasu and is often used at work. Japanese people use this phrase at interviews, meetings, and even when entering or exiting someone’s room. You wouldn’t use it with friends and family since it’s formal.  

Essentially, shitsurei shimasu means “I’m going to be rude.” How does this translate into “goodbye?”

Suppose you have completed all of your work for the day and are heading home. Your co-workers, however, are still occupied with their tasks. It means, “I’m sorry for being rude by leaving before you.” This is a formal and respectful way of saying “goodbye.” 

There is a set phrase you use specifically for when you leave work. You add the word “お先に” (Osaki ni), which means “before,” in front of 失礼します.

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