What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "a good trip" followed by a particle. The 良い旅を (yoi tabi o) consists of "good trip" and a particle that implies an omitted verb such as "have" or "wish you".
Which one should you use?
While 良い旅を is a general way to wish someone a good trip, other phrases exist depending on the context. For example, 行ってらっしゃい is used specifically by family members when someone is leaving the home, whereas お気をつけて translates more closely to "take care" or "be careful".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 良い旅を is relatively casual and is most commonly used among friends or in less formal settings. For more formal situations, you can use the polite form 良い旅をなさってください. If you want to use a polite and warmer version of the phrase used for someone leaving home, use 行ってらっしゃいませ.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ends with the particle を (o), which indicates that 良い旅 (yoi tabi) is the object of an omitted verb.
How do you pronounce it?
yoi tabi o
Did you know?
- The word 旅 (tabi) used in 良い旅を carries a heavy historical weight of physical exertion. Originally, it referred specifically to traveling on foot, evoking the image of long, arduous walking journeys or religious pilgrimages across the country.
- The polite version 行ってらっしゃいませ is used by service staff to treat a customer's departure from a shop or hotel as if they were leaving their own home.
- The phrase 良い旅を (yoi tabi o) can sometimes feel like a translation from English and may sound slightly cinematic or literary to native speakers.
Examples in context
- 外出の際は、お気をつけて。Please take care when you go out.
- ママ、行ってらっしゃい！Mom, have a safe trip!
- 先輩、行ってらっしゃいませ。Senior, have a safe trip!
- 良い旅を。Yoi tabi o.Safe journey.
- 結衣、良い旅を！Yui, yoi tabi o!Yui, have a safe journey!
- 皆さんに、良い旅を。Minasan ni, yoi tabi o.A safe journey to everyone.
Example conversation
Yui sees Daigaku off at the airport.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くん、準備はできた？Daigaku-kun, junbi wa dekita?Daigaku, are you all ready?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、全部そろっているよ。Un, zenbu sorotte iru yo.Yeah, I have everything.
- 結衣 Yuiそれじゃあ、良い旅を！Sorejaa, yoi tabi o!Well then, have a safe journey!
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、結衣さん！Arigato, Yui-san!Thanks, Yui!
