良い別れ
yoi wakare
The English phrase "good goodbye" is expressed in Japanese as 良い別れ (yoi wakare).
良い別れ is used as a noun phrase to describe the concept of a positive parting, rather than as a direct salutation like 'Goodbye'.
How do you pronounce it?
yoi wakare
Did you know?
- In many social situations, Japanese people replace a formal 'goodbye' with お疲れ様でした, which literally means 'you are tired' but functions as a polite way to acknowledge hard work before parting.
- In Japanese literature, a 'good goodbye' might be described using the word 惜別 (sekibetsu), which refers to a parting filled with regret because the people involved do not want to leave one another.
- While 良い別れ describes a 'good goodbye', Japanese speakers rarely use a direct translation of 'goodbye' like さようなら with close friends because it can imply a permanent or cold separation.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are finishing a project together.
- 健太 Kentaこれで全部終わったね。良い別れにしよう。Kore de zenbu owatta ne. Yoi wakare ni shiyou.Everything is finished now. Let's have a good goodbye.
- 美咲 Misakiうん、今までありがとう、健太さん。Un, ima made arigato, Kenta-san.Yeah, thank you for everything, Kenta.
- 健太 Kentaこちらこそ、美咲さんと働けてよかった。Kochira koso, Misaki-san to hatarakete yokatta.Likewise, I'm glad I could work with you, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misaki最高の良い別れになったね。Saikou no yoi wakare ni natta ne.It turned out to be the best good goodbye.
