How do you say "goodbye" in Japanese
Learn Essential Japanese Vocabulary for Beginners – A1 Level: How do you say "goodbye" in Japanese
The most common way to say “goodbye” in Japanese is さようなら (Sayonara), which is formal and carries a sense of finality, often used when parting for a long time or not expecting to see the person again soon.
For casual goodbyes, people often say:
- じゃあね (Jā ne), meaning “See you” or “Bye,” used among friends.
- バイバイ (Bai Bai), a casual “Bye-bye,” often used by young people.
In professional or work settings, a common phrase is お疲れさまでした (Otsukaresama deshita), which means “Thank you for your hard work” and functions as a polite goodbye.
So, depending on the context, “goodbye” in Japanese can be said in multiple ways, with さようなら being the formal and more definitive farewell, and じゃあね or バイバイ for everyday casual goodbyes.