よい旅を
yoi tabi o
The Japanese phrase for "have a good trip" is よい旅を (yoi tabi o).
よい旅を is a phrase used to wish someone a pleasant journey as they are departing. While it expresses a kind sentiment, it is often used in more dramatic, literary or stylized contexts rather than in standard everyday polite conversation. You can also add 安全に (safely) to your well-wishes to emphasize that you hope they travel safely.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal fragment consisting of よい (good), 旅 (trip/journey) and the particle を (object marker). This structure implies an omitted verb such as "wish" or "have."
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the phrase ends with the particle を, it is an elliptical expression. This means the verb is not explicitly stated but is understood from the context of the situation.
How do you pronounce it?
yoi tabi o
Did you know?
- The word 旅 (tabi) shares a root with the word for 'socks' worn with traditional sandals, also called 足袋 (tabi), because they were essential gear for historical travelers.
- In Japanese culture, wishing someone a 'good trip' can sometimes be replaced by a gesture of handing them an amulet called an お守り ('omamori') for travel safety.
- In daily life, instead of wishing someone a good trip, Japanese people more commonly use 行ってらっしゃい (itte rasshai), which literally means 'go and come back'.
Examples in context
- 気をつけて。よい旅を！ki o tsukete. yoi tabi o!Take care. Have a good trip!
- また帰ってきたら話を聞かせて。よい旅を。mata kaette kitara hanashi o kikasete. yoi tabi o.Tell me all about it when you get back. Have a good trip.
Example conversation
At the airport, Misaki is seeing off Hiroto who is going on a solo trip.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さん、いってらっしゃい！Hiroto-san, itterasshai!Hiroto, have a safe trip!
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、美咲さん。Arigatou, Misaki-san.Thank you, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misakiよい旅を！yoi tabi o!Have a good trip!
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、楽しんでくるよ。Un, tanoshinde kuru yo.Yeah, I'll go and have fun.
