お元気で
ogenki de
In Japanese, "I wish you well" is said as お元気で (ogenki de).
お元気で is typically used when you do not expect to see the person again for a while, such as when someone is moving away or going on a long trip. It is a way to say goodbye while specifically wishing the person continued health and happiness.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a shortened form of o-genki de irashite kudasai. The genki part means health or energy, and the o is a polite prefix.
Which one should you use?
Unlike sayonara, which can feel more final or heavy, お元気で focuses specifically on wishing the person continued health and vitality.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The use of the honorific prefix o makes お元気で a polite way to address others, making it suitable for acquaintances or people older than you.
How do you pronounce it?
ogenki de
Did you know?
- If you use お元気で when saying goodbye to a close friend you will see tomorrow, it might sound like you are dramatically ending the relationship.
- The word genki inside the phrase is actually composed of two kanji: 'original' and 'spirit'.
- In Japanese, you cannot use the polite prefix お on your own health or your own 'genki' when speaking to others.
Examples in context
- お元気で。Ogenki de.I wish you well.
- しばらく会えませんが、お元気で。Shibaraku aemasen ga, ogenki de.We won't see each other for a while, so I wish you well.
- 遠くへ行っても、お元気でいてください。Tooku e itte mo, ogenki de ite kudasai.Even if you go far away, please stay well.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are saying goodbye at a train station before one of them moves away.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さん、新しい生活を楽しんでくださいね。Hiroto-san, atarashii seikatsu o tanoshinde kudasai ne.Hiroto, please enjoy your new life.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、美咲さんもお元気で。Arigatou, Misaki-san mo ogenki de.Thank you, Misaki, I wish you well too.
- 美咲 Misakiはい、お元気で。Hai, ogenki de.Yes, take care.
- 大翔 Hirotoまた会いましょう。Mata aimashou.Let's meet again.
