さようなら、先生
sayounara, sensei
The English phrase 'goodbye to a teacher' is translated into Japanese as さようなら、先生 (sayounara, sensei).
This phrase is used as a polite way to say goodbye to a teacher.
Which one should you use?
While さようなら (sayounara) is a standard farewell, students often use 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu), which means 'I am being rude by leaving', as a more natural and common way to say goodbye to a teacher when leaving a classroom.
How do you pronounce it?
sayounara, sensei
Did you know?
- The word 先生 (sensei) literally translates to 'one who has gone before'. This implies that the person has already traveled the path of knowledge and is now leading the way for others.
- In many Japanese schools, the most common way to say goodbye at the end of the day is not a phrase at all, but a synchronized, group bow performed by the entire class toward the teacher.
- If you use さようなら with a teacher, it can sometimes sound like a final, permanent farewell rather than a simple 'see you later'. To avoid sounding like you are leaving forever, students often prefer 失礼します instead.
Examples in context
- さようなら、先生、ありがとうございました。Sayōnara, sensei, arigatō gozaimashita.Goodbye, teacher, thank you very much.
Example conversation
Students are leaving the classroom after a lesson.
- 結衣 Yuiさようなら、先生。Sayounara, sensei.Goodbye, teacher.
- 大翔 Hirotoさようなら、結衣さん。Sayounara, Yui-san.Goodbye, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くんも、さようなら、先生と言って。Yamato-kun mo, sayounara, sensei to itte.Yamato, you should say goodbye to the teacher too.
- 大翔 Hirotoあ、さようなら、先生！A, sayounara, sensei!Oh, goodbye, teacher!
