さようなら、良い一日を
sayōnara, yoi ichinichi o
In Japanese, さようなら、良い一日を (sayōnara, yoi ichinichi o) means "bye, have a good day".
This phrase is a way to say goodbye while wishing someone a pleasant day. Because of how it is constructed, it sounds more like a scripted greeting or something written in a card than a casual spoken remark between friends.
What does it mean word for word?
The part 良い一日を literally translates to "a good day" followed by an object marker.
Which one should you use?
For a more natural, casual "bye" among friends, you would use じゃあね instead of さようなら.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The component さようなら is a formal term used to say goodbye. It is often used when you may not see the person for a longer period or when ending a business conversation. In contrast, じゃあね is a casual and friendly way to say goodbye used among friends and acquaintances.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kyushu region, particularly in Nagasaki, the casual way to say "bye" is ばいちゃ.
How do you pronounce it?
sayōnara, yoi ichinichi o
Did you know?
- The word さようなら originally comes from a phrase meaning 'if it be that way'. It was historically used to express a sense of resignation or uncertainty about when the speaker would see the other person again.
- In many Japanese workplaces, instead of saying 'bye', employees say お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu), which acknowledges the other person's hard work.
- The expression 良い一日を is a relatively modern import influenced by English greetings. Traditional Japanese culture historically lacked a common spoken equivalent to the 'have a nice day' wish.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are leaving the office at different times.
- 大翔 Hirotoお先に失礼します。さようなら、良い一日を。Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu. Sayounara, yoi ichinichi o.I'm leaving now. Goodbye, have a good day.
- 結衣 Yuiはい、大翔さん。さようなら。Hai, Hiroto-san. Sayounara.Yes, Hiroto. Goodbye.
- 大翔 Hiroto明日もよろしくお願いします。Ashita mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.See you again tomorrow.
- 結衣 Yuiこちらこそ、よろしくお願いします。Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Same here, see you tomorrow.
