じゃあね
jā ne
The Japanese phrase for an informal goodbye is じゃあね (jā ne).
じゃあね is an informal goodbye typically used when the speaker expects to see the person again in the near future. A similar popular and versatile phrase used among friends is じゃね, which means "See you" or "Later".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a contraction of では, which literally means "well then" or "if it be so".
Which one should you use?
じゃあね is much more casual than ではまた, which is a more standard way to say "see you later".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
じゃあね is used exclusively in casual settings with friends, family or peers.
How do you pronounce it?
jā ne
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific word, さよなら, which is often taught as 'goodbye' but is rarely used in casual daily life because it can imply a permanent or long-term separation.
- While じゃあね is common among friends, Japanese people often avoid saying any word for 'goodbye' when leaving a group, as explicitly marking the end of an encounter can feel too final or cold.
- The phrase じゃあね is often accompanied by a small wave or a slight nod, but a full bow would be far too formal for such a casual expression.
Examples in context
- また明日、じゃあね。mata ashita, jaa ne.See you tomorrow, bye.
- 今日はこれでおしまい、じゃあね。kyou wa kore de oshimai, jaa ne.That's all for today, bye.
Example conversation
Two students are leaving school at the end of the day.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮くん、また明日ね。Ren-kun, mata ashita ne.Ren, see you tomorrow.
- 蓮 Renうん、じゃあね、陽葵。un, jaa ne, Himari.Yeah, bye, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himariじゃあね！jaa ne!Bye!
- 蓮 Renバイバイ。baibai.Bye bye.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry じゃあね, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
