みなさん、さようなら
minasan, sayōnara
The Japanese phrase for "goodbye everyone" is みなさん、さようなら (minasan, sayōnara).
みなさん、さようなら is used to bid farewell to a group of people.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
みなさん、さようなら is a formal way to say goodbye to a group and is often heard in structured settings, such as a classroom or during a formal speech. In a professional workplace, other phrases are more common: you might use Shitsurei shimasu (失礼します) to mean "Excuse me for leaving" or "I apologize for my rudeness" when exiting a formal gathering or Otsukaresama desu (お疲れ様です) to thank everyone for their hard work before you depart.
How do you pronounce it?
minasan, sayōnara
When do people say it?
If someone is leaving the house, the remaining family members will say Itterasshai (行ってらっしゃい), which means "Go and come back."
Did you know?
- The word さようなら is historically derived from a phrase meaning 'until it is like that', implying a lingering uncertainty about when the parties will meet again.
- In Japanese classrooms, students often collectively say さようなら to their teacher in a synchronized chorus, a ritualized part of the school day.
- The word sayōnara actually implies a sense of permanent or long-term parting. In daily life, using it for a casual encounter might make people feel as though you never intend to see them again.
Example conversation
Youta is leaving a group meeting with Misaki and others.
- 陽太 Yotaそろそろ帰りますね。Sorosoro kaerimasu ne.I'll be heading home now.
- 美咲 Misakiお疲れ様でした！Otsukaresama deshita!Good job today!
- 陽太 Yotaみなさん、さようなら。Minasan, sayounara.Goodbye, everyone.
- 美咲 Misakiさようなら！Sayounara!Goodbye!
