Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| またね | mata ne | [ma̠ta̠ ne̞] (narrow) |
| また後で | mata ato de | |
| バイバイ | baibai | [ba̠iba̠i] (narrow) |
| じゃ | ja | [d͡ʑa̠] (narrow) |
| じゃあまたね | jā mata ne | |
| ではまた | dewa mata | [de̞ β̞a̠ ma̠ta̠] (narrow) |
What does it mean word for word?
In many of these expressions, the word また literally means "again".
Which one should you use?
じゃ is a colloquial, shortened version of では used to mean "well then" or "so" when transitioning into a goodbye. じゃあまたね and its informal contraction じゃあね are common ways to say see you later. また後で is used specifically among friends or acquaintances to mean see you later. ではまた is a more formal or polite way to say see you again compared to the casual またね.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
バイバイ is a loanword from English used in very casual settings, often among friends or when speaking to children. またね is an informal way to say see you later among friends or people you know well. For more professional settings or when saying goodbye to someone you see on a regular basis, それでは、また is appropriate. ではまた is also a more formal or polite option than the casual またね.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle ね can be added to the end of また to make the goodbye sound softer and more friendly.
How do you pronounce it?
mata ne
Did you know?
- While バイバイ sounds like English, it is often used by adult women and children but is rarely used by adult men in Japan.
- The contraction じゃ originates from the verb 'to be', effectively meaning 'If it be that (I am leaving)…'.
- If you use また後で with a stranger or a superior, it may sound slightly presumptuous, as it implies you are certain you will meet again later that same day.
Examples in context
- じゃあ、また。Well, see you later.This sentence shows how to use the colloquial じゃ for a goodbye.Tatoeba #8942279 by bunbuku, translation #39363 by CM
- じゃ、またねっ！I'll see you later.This sentence shows an enthusiastic use of the colloquial じゃ.Tatoeba #692873 by arihato, translation #32706 by CK
- じゃあ、またね。See you later!This sentence shows a standard way to use the colloquial じゃ.Tatoeba #941192 by bunbuku, translation #360558 by Kazune
- またね、楽しかった！See you later, it was fun!
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are leaving school after class.
- 結衣 Yui今日はありがとう。またね！Kyō wa arigatō. Mata ne!Thanks for today. See you later!
- 大翔 Hirotoこちらこそ。またね。Kochira koso. Mata ne.Likewise. See you later.
- 結衣 Yui気をつけて帰ってね。Ki o tsukete kaette ne.Get home safely.
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、また明日！Un, mata ashita!Yeah, see you tomorrow!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “see you later” translations and entries またね, バイバイ, じゃ, ではまた, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries じゃ, バイバイ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
