ありがとうございました、さようなら
arigatou gozaimashita, sayounara
To say "thank you and goodbye" in Japanese, use ありがとうございました、さようなら (arigatou gozaimashita, sayounara).
This phrase is a polite way to express gratitude and bid farewell to someone at the end of an interaction.
Which one should you use?
The phrase ありがとうございました、さようなら uses the past tense form of the gratitude component, which is appropriate for the conclusion of an interaction. In contrast, ありがとうございます uses the present tense and is used to express gratitude for something that is currently happening or is generally true.
How do you pronounce it?
arigatou gozaimashita, sayounara
When do people say it?
It is customary to bow your head slightly when saying thank you or goodbye in Japan.
Did you know?
- The word ありがとう comes from 有り難い, which literally means 'it is difficult for this to exist'. It expresses the feeling that the favor received is so rare and precious that it is almost miraculous.
- To avoid the heavy finality of さようなら, Japanese speakers often use 失礼します, which literally translates to 'I am going to be rude' by interrupting the current flow.
- In professional settings, the 'goodbye' part of the phrase is often replaced by お疲れ様です meaning 'you are tired'. This acknowledges the other person's hard work rather than focusing on the act of leaving.
Examples in context
- 今日はありがとうございました、さようなら。Kyou wa arigatou gozaimashita, sayounara.Thank you for today, goodbye.
Example conversation
Kenta is leaving a lesson with Misaki.
- 健太 Kenta教え方、とても分かりやすかったです。Oshiekata, totemo wakariyasukatta desu.The way you taught was very easy to understand.
- 美咲 Misakiそう言ってもらえて嬉しいです。Sō itte moraete ureshii desu.I am happy to hear that.
- 健太 Kentaありがとうございました、さようなら。Arigatō gozaimashita, sayōnara.Thank you very much, and goodbye.
- 美咲 Misakiさようなら。また来週！Sayōnara. Mata raishū!Goodbye. See you next week!
