お元気で
ogenki de
The English phrase "stay well" is translated into Japanese as お元気で (ogenki de).
お元気で is a phrase used to wish someone good health and happiness when saying goodbye, and it can also be translated as "take care."
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is composed of the honorific お, the noun 元気 (meaning health or energy) and the particle で (meaning in, at or with). Literally, it means "in good health."
Which one should you use?
While お元気で is a parting wish for someone to stay well, the phrase お元気ですか is a question used to ask "are you well?"
How do you pronounce it?
ogenki de
Did you know?
- While お元気で is a kind wish, it can unintentionally sound heavy or final if used in a casual daily goodbye. To a native speaker, it may sound as if you are saying 'farewell for a long time' or even 'goodbye forever'.
- The word 元気 (genki) contains the character for 'source' or 'origin' (元) and 'spirit' or 'energy' (気). It implies that being well is a state of having a vigorous internal life force.
- The noun 元気 describes more than physical health. If you call someone a 元気な人, you are not just commenting on their medical status, but describing them as a lively, bubbly, and energetic person.
Examples in context
- お元気で。Ogenki de.Stay well.
- どうぞお元気で。Douzo ogenki de.Please stay well.
- それでは、お元気で！Sore dewa, ogenki de!Well then, stay well!
Example conversation
Hiroto and Misaki are saying goodbye at the airport.
- 大翔 Hirotoもう行く時間だね。Mou iku jikan da ne.It is time to go already.
- 美咲 Misakiうん、気をつけてね。Un, ki o tsukete ne.Yeah, take care.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲、それじゃあお元気で。Misaki, sore jaa o-genki de.Misaki, well then, stay well.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう。大翔もお元気で。Arigatou. Hiroto mo o-genki de.Thank you. Stay well too, Hiroto.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries お元気で, CC BY-SA 4.0.
