よい旅を
yoi tabi o
In Japanese, "safe travel" is expressed as よい旅を (yoi tabi o).
The phrase is used to wish someone a pleasant and secure journey.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "a good journey (object marker)". It consists of yoi (good), tabi (journey) and the object marker o (を).
How does it change in a sentence?
よい旅を is an elliptical construction where the verb is implied, making it a common way to express a wish or command in a polite but concise manner.
How do you pronounce it?
yoi tabi o
Did you know?
- In Japan, it is common to pair wishes for a safe journey with the gift of an amulet called an お守り ('omamori') from a shrine or temple to ensure protection.
- The word 旅 (tabi) in よい旅を carries a deeper, more poetic connotation than the standard word for travel, 旅行 (ryokō). It often suggests a soulful, solitary wandering or a life-changing adventure rather than a simple holiday.
- While よい旅を is poetic, if you are seeing a friend off at a station, it is much more natural to say 行ってらっしゃい ('go and come back').
Examples in context
- ご旅行をお楽しみください！どうぞお気をつけて行ってくださいHave a great trip! Please take care on your journey
- よい旅を。Yoi tabi o.Have a good trip.
- 一人旅、よい旅を！Hitoritabi, yoi tabi o!Have a good trip on your solo journey!
- 明日から、よい旅を。Ashita kara, yoi tabi o.Have a good trip starting tomorrow.
Example conversation
Yui is seeing Hiroto off at the train station before his vacation.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くん、明日から旅行だね。Hiroto-kun, ashita kara ryokou dane.Hiroto, your trip starts tomorrow, right?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、とても楽しみだよ。Un, totemo tanoshimi dayo.Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it.
- 結衣 Yui気をつけて、よい旅を！Ki o tsukete, yoi tabi o!Take care, and have a good trip!
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、行ってきます。Arigatou, ittekimasu.Thank you, I'm off!
