さようなら
sayōnara[sa̠jo̞ːna̠ɾa̠]
The English phrase "goodbye politely" is translated into Japanese as さようなら (sayōnara).
In Japanese, there are different ways to say goodbye depending on the context. さようなら is generally used when you don't expect to see the person again for a long time or ever. If you are leaving a place or ending a conversation, you might use the formal expression 失礼します. If you are leaving a situation ahead of others, the more polite version is お先に失礼します, which translates to "I apologize for leaving ahead".
How do you pronounce it?
sayōnara
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use さようなら in daily casual settings, but using it with friends or colleagues you see every day can sound overly dramatic or imply you are breaking off the relationship.
Did you know?
- The phrase さようなら originally functioned as a logical conjunction meaning 'if it is so'. It was a way of saying 'if that is the case, then [we must part]', rather than a set greeting.
- If you want to be truly polite in a modern setting without the 'finality' of さようなら, it is much more common to use the phrase 失礼します, which literally means 'I am going to be rude' by leaving without permission.
- In many Japanese schools, students are taught to say さようなら to their teachers at the end of the day. However, in a business or social setting, using this specific word can make the speaker sound unintentionally distant or cold.
Examples in context
- 先生、さようなら。Sensei, sayounara.Goodbye, teacher.
- では、さようなら。Dewa, sayounara.Well then, goodbye.
- 最後になりますが、さようなら。Saigo ni narimasu ga, sayounara.Lastly, goodbye.
Example conversation
Two former colleagues are parting ways at a train station.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣さん、今までありがとうございました。Yui-san, ima made arigatou gozaimashita.Yui, thank you for everything until now.
- 結衣 Yuiこちらこそ。お元気で。Kochira koso. O-genki de.Likewise. Take care.
- 大翔 Hirotoはい。では、さようなら。Hai. Dewa, sayounara.Yes. Well, goodbye.
- 結衣 Yuiさようなら、大翔さん。Sayounara, Hiroto-san.Goodbye, Hiroto.
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.
