| Japanese Goodbye Phrase | Meaning | Usage | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bai Bai (ばいばい ) | Bye Bye | Casual settings (on the phone or in person) | |
| Jā ne (じゃあね ) | Well then | Casual settings (on the phone or in person) | |
| Mata ne ( またね) | See you later | Casual settings (on the phone or in person) | |
| Shitsurei shimasu (失礼します) | Please excuse me (as I'm leaving now) | Formal way to say goodbye or end a phone call (work-related ) | |
| Arigatō gozaimashita (ありがとうございました) | Thank you very much | Formal way to say goodbye end a phone call (work related ) | |
| Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします) | I appreciate your cooperation | Formal way to say goodbye end a phone call (work related ) | |
| Ittekimasu (行ってきます) | I'll go and come back | Said by someone who is leaving the house (school, work or errands) | |
| Itterasshai (行ってらっしゃい) | Please go and come back | Said by someone who is staying behind at home | |
| Ojama shimashita (お邪魔しました). | Excuse me for having disturbed you | Said by someone who is leaving another person's home (formal) | |
| Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu (お先に失礼します ) | Excuse me for leaving before you | Said by someone who is leaving work first (formal) | |
| Otsukaresama deshita (お疲れ様でした) | Thanks for your hard work | Said by someone who is still staying at work (formal) | |
| Sayōnara (さようなら) | Farewell (If it must be so) | Said to someone whom you will not meet in a very long time (formal setting) |
If you’re learning Japanese, knowing how to say goodbye is just as important as greetings in Japanese. Japanese farewells vary by formality and context, reflecting the culture’s emphasis on etiquette and gratitude. This guide will help you master the most common ways to say goodbye, so you can part ways politely and naturally.
🙋 Casual vs Formal Farewells
Let’s begin by exploring the duality of communication in Japanese, where speakers switch between casual and formal expressions depending on who they are talking to and the relationship they share. Factors that influence this choice include age, seniority at work, and the closeness of the relationship (family, close friends, or strangers).
Casual farewells
For family, close friends or someone younger/junior at school or work
Polite farewells
For your senior at work/school, someone you highly respect, an important client or acquaintance
🤗 When and How to Use Casual Goodbyes
Casual goodbyes can be used among friends, especially if you know you're going to see them again on a regular basis. Here are some of the common ways to say goodbye in a non-formal setting:
Bai Bai: ばいばい
- Similar to the English farewell expression: Bye-bye
- Most commonly used among the younger generation
Jā ne: じゃあね
- It means, well then
- Can be used among peers, to people you are close to at work, or family and friends
Mata ne: またね
- It means to see you again
- Also commonly used among people you are closely associated with
You might notice that shorter expressions are used when it comes to more casual settings or closer relationships. As you dive deeper into Japanese vocabulary, grammar, and even culture, you'll notice the significance of using different speech styles and sentence-ending particles.
You might see the ‘ne’ in other contexts since it’s a common Japanese particle.
It shows that the speaker is seeking agreement with you… It's a bit like saying ‘right?’ or ‘isn’t it' in English.
Men talking amongst themselves often use a masculine version of the particle ‘Mata na’.
You could try this if you want to show camaraderie and fraternity with your fellow man. (In the right context, of course).
Everyday Situations for Farewells
Let’s take a look at some everyday situations where you’ll need to say goodbye. These are super useful, no matter your age or job.
📞 Situation 1: Japanese Goodbye On the Phone
When it comes to saying goodbye on the phone, casual expressions and polite expressions are used differently depending on the relationship. Among close friends or family, you can naturally use casual farewells such as baibai (ばいばい), jaa ne (じゃあね), mata ne (またね), just as you would in face-to-face situations.
In contrast, in more polite or professional contexts (for example, with coworkers, clients, or teachers), people typically close the call with phrases like:
Shitsurei shimasu (失礼します), which means "Please excuse me (as I'm leaving now)"
Arigatō gozaimashita (ありがとうございました), which means "Thank you very much"
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします,) which means "I appreciate your cooperation"
🏠 Situation 2: Saying Goodbye From Your Home
Saying goodbye here can be applied to two situations: it could be when you're leaving or when someone else is leaving. These two common goodbye expressions are commonly used by family members, close friends who stay together or among housemates.
Ittekimasu (行ってきます) – “I’ll go and come back”
Someone who is going out to work, school or errands
Itterasshai (行ってらっしゃい) – “Please go and come back”
Someone who is staying behind (at home)
For the person leaving, they say Ittekimasu (行ってきます) with the intention of letting the staying person know that they will return home. You don't just leave silently without acknowledging the household.
On the other hand, for the person staying, they say Itterasshai (行ってらっしゃい) with the intention of letting the leaving person know that their return is expected and welcomed. It holds a sense of well-wishing, especially for safe journeys.
If you are someone who is learning about Japanese language and culture for the first time, you'll notice that Japanese greetings are very polite and are often rooted in mutual consideration.
There is a tendency to have matched pair of expressions as it is part of the Japanese etiquette. Culturally, these two expressions carry a sense of care and well-wishing to the recipient, any day of the week.
🙋♂️ Situation: Japanese Goodbye When Leaving Someone Else's Home
There’s another phrase you can use when you’ve been invited into someone’s home or personal space and it’s time to leave: Ojama shimashita (お邪魔しました). This translates roughly to “Excuse me for having disturbed you” or “I’ve intruded on your space.” While it may sound a little dramatic in English, it’s a polite way to show appreciation for someone’s hospitality.
Example of setting: If you are a tourist learning Japanese, you’re likely to end up in a situation where you’ve borrowed someone's living space, like with an Airbnb, or perhaps you’re staying with friends or family.
💼 Situation: Japanese Goodbye At the End of a Workday
In a typical Japanese work setting, colleagues do not exactly say goodbye but use specific phrases to express appreciation of hard work and respect for those who are leaving and staying.
If you are the one leaving first:
Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu (お先に失礼します ), which means “Excuse me for leaving before you.”
If someone else is leaving first:
Otsukaresama deshita (お疲れ様でした,) which means “Thanks for your hard work.”
The above expressions are always used when you are addressing a senior colleague or your boss. It is more polite and formal. Shorter and casual expressions are often used between peers, junior colleagues or with someone you share a close relationship at work, as shown below:
If you are the one leaving first:
Osaki (お先ー), which means “I’m heading off first.”
If someone is leaving first:
Otsukare ( お疲れ), which means “Good job"
🎌 Cultural Notes on Saying Goodbye in Japan
Saying goodbye in Japan goes beyond correct vocabulary, sentence structure and pronunciation — it is rooted in a culture that values politeness, hierarchy, and social harmony. As such, non-verbal communication, including gestures and bowing, is an important part of effective interaction in the Japanese-speaking community.
👋 Non-verbal Farewells
Saying farewell in Japanese is not all about words. In fact, half of what makes a good farewell in Japanese is the body language and gestures used when seeing someone off.
The best way to think about such etiquette is as an extension of the language itself, or even as its own language, which is just as important to learn as the written and spoken language.
Similar to greetings, it is typical to depart from a conversation with a bow; however, unlike greetings, this is reserved mostly for saying goodbye in formal situations.
With friends and family, you might get some funny looks by bowing yourself out, especially if you bow too deeply and for too long
Here are the three most common bows in the context of saying goodbye in Japan:
Eshaku (会釈)
- Light bow
- About a 15° angle
- Casual goodbyes to friends or acquaintances
Keirei (敬礼)
- Respectful bow
- About a 30° angle
- Polite goodbyes to clients or hosts
Saikeirei (最敬礼)
- Deep bow
- About 45° or more
- Formal goodbyes, which show respect or apology
Waving, on the other hand, whether it be formally or with friends and family, is very important as a sign of politeness. There are a few things to note about waving in Japan, since hand gestures can have all sorts of meanings.
Firstly, how long should one wave? If you are very familiar with the person and see each other all the time, then keeping it short and sweet is fine, so long as you pair the wave with a friendly farewell.
On the other hand, if your departure (or theirs) is bittersweet and for a longer period of time, then it’s actually quite common to wave at each other until you’re both out of sight!
This comes from the Japanese principle of ‘nagori oshii’, which is the cultural reluctance to say goodbye. We might feel a lesser version of the same thing in English-speaking countries in our attempts to be the most polite.
It’s very reminiscent of ‘No, you have the last biscuit, I insist!’, and ‘After you… Go ahead… You first!’, in British culture, for example.
The other thing to be aware of is that when waving, make sure to keep your palm facing away from you, i.e. hand outwards, because waving with your thumb facing you is the Japanese gesture of declination. You might have seen such a thing before in Japanese media.
The gesture looks a lot like someone waving away smoke from the air in front of them, and it effectively means ‘No, not me’ ,‘No way’, or ‘No thanks’. Your host will be very impressed if you use this one correctly!
In Japan, I was immensely impressed by the politeness, industrious nature and conscientiousness of the Japanese people.
Paul Getty, Industralist
🤔 Why Sayōnara Isn’t Always Used
As you review a couple of Japanese farewell phrases in this article, you might be wondering where “sayōnara” enters the picture? In real life, “sayōnara” (さようなら) is rarely used, even among native Japanese speakers.
The reason is that it carries the nuance of a long-term or indefinite parting, suggesting that you may not see the other person for a while. That's why it is not used in casual everyday situations, especially among family or close friends, where it would feel overly distant or formal.
So, when can you use sayōnara? It's usually reserved for official or long-term farewells, as seen in the following examples:
Relocation to a new place
You are unsure when you will see each other again
Resignation or retirement
Permanent departure, you will not see your ex-colleague for a very long time
Graduation ceremonies (school or university)
To imply farewell the end of a school chapter
We hope you enjoyed this article on how to say goodbye in Japanese, especially in terms of formal and casual farewell expressions. Check out this Top 5 simple list for a quick summary:
If you’re serious about learning Japanese, the best way to do so is via a private tutor. Under the guidance of an experienced tutor, you can master Japanese comprehensively in the comfort of your own home. Whether it's learning about ways to count in Japanese or the proper way to say goodbye in Japanese, you'll certainly be in good hands!
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