バイバイ
baibai[ba̠iba̠i]
The English phrase "bye bye" is translated into Japanese as バイバイ (baibai).
バイバイ is an informal way to say goodbye when leaving someone. It is often accompanied by a hand-waving gesture, similar to how it is used in English.
Which one should you use?
While バイバイ is used for casual, temporary departures between people of similar social standing, さようなら (sayonara) carries a more permanent or formal farewell connotation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
バイバイ is an informal loanword from English. It is primarily used among children, close friends or in very casual settings. Other casual options include Ja ne (See you later), Matane (until next time) or Jaa, mata (see you/again).
How do you pronounce it?
baibai
When do people say it?
When using バイバイ, speakers often wave their hands, much like the English custom. If you want to express a more permanent goodbye, you would use さようなら instead of this casual phrase.
Did you know?
- The word バイバイ has been used in the Japanese language since at least the 1930s.
- The phrase バイバイ is frequently used by Japanese women and children more often than by adult men, who may prefer じゃあね ('jaa ne').
- If an adult man uses バイバイ in a professional setting, it can be perceived as being immature or even 'childish' rather than just friendly.
Examples in context
- バイバイ！Bye-bye!This example shows how to use バイバイ for a simple parting.Tatoeba #8533944 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #6714881 by maaster
- ありがとうございます。さよなら。Thank you. Goodbye.
- さよなら、お元気で。Goodbye, take care.
- そうだね！また遊ぼうね。Indeed! Let's hang out again.
- じゃあね！See you later!
- じゃあ、またね！See you again!
- またね、バイバイ！Mata ne, baibai!See you, bye bye!
- バイバイ、また明日ね。Baibai, mata ashita ne.Bye bye, see you tomorrow.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are parting ways after school.
- 美咲 Misaki今日は楽しかったよ。バイバイ！Kyou wa tanoshikatta yo. Baibai!Today was fun. Bye bye!
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、また明日ね。Un, mata ashita ne.Yeah, see you tomorrow.
- 美咲 Misakiバイバイ、気を付けて帰ってね。Baibai, ki o tsukete kaette ne.Bye bye, get home safely.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、美咲。バイバイ！Arigatou, Misaki. Baibai!Thanks, Misaki. Bye bye!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry バイバイ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries バイバイ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
