さようなら
sayōnara[sa̠jo̞ːna̠ɾa̠]
The Japanese way to say bye formally is さようなら (sayōnara).
さようなら is a formal way to say goodbye. It is specifically used when you are parting from someone for a long time or in a formal setting.
Which one should you use?
In daily professional or polite settings where you will see the person again soon, ではまた (dewa mata), meaning 'well then, see you again', is more natural than using さようなら.
How do you pronounce it?
sayōnara
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often overuse さようなら in casual daily interactions. Doing so can make the parting sound overly heavy, cold or even permanent to a native speaker.
Did you know?
- The phrase さようなら originally functioned as a conjunction meaning 'if it is so'. It only evolved into a greeting around 1788.
- In Japanese schools, students typically say さようなら to their teachers at the end of the day, despite the phrase often feeling too heavy or permanent in other formal contexts.
- Using さようなら with a close friend or partner can inadvertently signal a breakup or a desire to end the relationship permanently.
Examples in context
- それでは、さようなら。Sore de wa, sayounara.Well then, goodbye.
- 先生、さようなら。Sensei, sayounara.Goodbye, teacher.
- さようなら、また来年。Sayounara, mata rainen.Goodbye, see you next year.
Example conversation
Hiyori is leaving for a long study trip abroad.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太くん、さようなら。Youta-kun, sayounara.Goodbye, Youta.
- 陽太 Yotaはい、さようなら。Hai, sayounara.Yes, goodbye.
- 陽葵 Himariまた来年会いましょう。Mata rainen aimashou.Let's meet again next year.
- 陽太 Yota元気でね。Genki de ne.Take care.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry さようなら, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries さようなら, CC BY-SA 4.0.
