またね
mata ne[ma̠ta̠ ne̞]
The English phrase "see you around" can be translated into Japanese as またね (mata ne).
またね is a casual way to say goodbye to someone you expect to see again, functioning as "See you later" in informal contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The word また (mata) literally means "again".
Which one should you use?
While またね is a common casual expression, it is not suitable for formal business settings or when speaking to superiors. In those situations, you should use more polite forms such as それでは.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
またね is an informal expression used primarily among friends, family or peers.
How do you pronounce it?
mata ne
Did you know?
- While またね is friendly, saying さようなら ('sayonara') can actually sound like a permanent farewell or a cold breakup to a Japanese speaker.
- The word また is also used in Japanese to mean 'also' or 'additionally,' which can lead to confusion if the context of a goodbye is not clear.
- In many Japanese subcultures, particularly in anime or manga, characters often use slightly different variations of また to signal their specific personality type or social standing.
Examples in context
- またね。I'll see you around.This sentence demonstrates how to use またね to say "I'll see you around."Tatoeba #1683208 by aka_aj, translation #1682715 by Spamster
- じゃね！See you later!
- では、また明日！See you tomorrow!
- じゃあ、またね。Jaa, mata ne.Well, see you around.
- 明日、またね！Ashita, mata ne!See you again tomorrow!
Example conversation
Two classmates are leaving school after a long day.
- 陽葵 Himari今日は楽しかったよ。またね。Kyou wa tanoshikatta yo. Mata ne.Today was fun. See you around.
- 健太 Kentaうん、またね、陽葵。Un, mata ne, Himari.Yeah, see you around, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himariバイバイ！Baibai!Bye bye!
- 健太 Kenta気を付けて帰ってね。Ki o tsukete kaette ne.Get home safely.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry またね, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
