気をつけて帰ってね
ki o tsukete kaette ne
The English phrase "get home safe" is translated into Japanese as 気をつけて帰ってね (ki o tsukete kaette ne).
This phrase is a friendly wish for someone to arrive at their house without any accidents or problems. It is typically used when parting ways with friends, family or colleagues at the end of a social gathering or a workday.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ki o tsukete (be careful/pay attention) and kaette ne (return/go back, with a soft particle).
Which one should you use?
While 気をつけて帰ってね is used for travel or returning home, お大事に is used specifically when someone is sick or injured to mean "get well" or "take care of yourself".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual conversation, you can shorten the phrase to just 気をつけて to mean "take care" or "get home safe". For a more formal sentiment of "Please return home safely and with peace of mind," you can use 安心して帰ってください.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding kudasai to the end of the phrase makes it 気をつけて帰ってください, which is a polite version suitable for use with superiors or people you are not close to.
How do you pronounce it?
ki o tsukete kaette ne
Did you know?
- The word ki in 気をつけて refers to 'spirit' or 'energy'. To 'take care' in Japanese is literally to 'attach' or 'fix' your spirit to the situation to avoid danger.
- In Japan, it is common for friends or partners to send a text message saying 着いたら教えて meaning 'let me know when you arrive' after saying 気をつけて帰ってね.
- The verb kaeru used in 帰ってね specifically means 'to return to a place where one belongs', which is why it cannot be used for going to a destination you have never visited.
Examples in context
- 夜道だから、気をつけて帰ってね。Yomichi dakara, ki o tsukete kaette ne.It's a dark road, so get home safe.
- 今日は楽しかったよ。気をつけて帰ってね。Kyou wa tanoshikatta yo. Ki o tsukete kaette ne.Today was fun. Get home safe.
- 雨が降ってきたから、気をつけて帰ってね。Ame ga futte kita kara, ki o tsukete kaette ne.It started raining, so get home safe.
Example conversation
Two friends are parting ways at a train station at night.
- 陽太 Yota今日はありがとう。またね。Kyou wa arigatou. Mata ne.Thanks for today. See you.
- 結衣 Yuiこちらこそ。気をつけて帰ってね。Kochira koso. Ki o tsukete kaette ne.Thank you too. Get home safe.
- 陽太 Yotaうん、結衣もね。Un, Yui mo ne.Yeah, you too, Yui.
- 結衣 Yuiバイバイ！Baibai!Bye bye!
