Saying “goodbye” can be difficult no matter where you’re from. In Japanese, the word sayonara often carries the weight of a long farewell, hinting that you might not see the person for a long time. But don’t worry: Japanese language has plenty of other ways to say farewell that are lighter, more casual, and full of hope for seeing each other again soon.
So how do Japanese people usually say “bye”? And are some expressions better suited for certain situations? You’re in the right place! In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about saying goodbye to friends, family, and even colleagues in Japan.
Casual vs Formal Ways of Saying “Goodbye” in Japanese
Before we dive into our list, we need to preface that the Japanese language is very strictly organized between formal and casual terms. We won’t go super deep into keigo this time, but there are words on this list that will use the formal Japanese that you might want to use with people such as your boss or colleagues.
Formally, saying “goodbye” in Japanese is often just a common keigo expression, many of which you might already be familiar with. In these expressions, you are using a humble form of language where you are politely asking the listener to meet you again. So, in these cases, do you say goodbye with a wave or a bow?
Body Language When Saying “Goodbye” in Japanese
In Formal Situations
When saying farewell to your boss or clients, it is customary to say “goodbye” accompanied by a light bow. You don’t need to do a full 90° angle; doing so will make you look a bit out of place. But there are certain companies that like to show utmost respect when saying farewell to their customers, so they might bow a full 90°.
For the most part, a bow that is no more than 45° is sufficient. For a more detailed breakdown of Japanese manners, read our Ultimate Guide to Japanese Business Manners & Etiquette.
In Casual Situations
In most casual situations, like saying goodbye in Japanese to a friend, you don’t really need to bow. It is very common just to wave when saying “goodbye”. But in work, or on a sports team, sometimes you say “otsukaresama” as a way of saying goodbye. In this case, you can just do a light bow (just a little bow of your head). Overall, just a light wave is the most common way of saying “goodbye” to friends, or even colleagues you’re closer to.
15 Ways to Say Goodbye in Japanese
Now, let’s dive into the ultimate list of ways to say goodbye in Japanese. We’ll organize them into general categories, covering both formal and casual or neutral expressions.
Formal Ways of Saying Goodbye
Japanese can be a very formal language, offering a variety of expressions for “goodbye” that are suited to different contexts and situations, especially in more formal settings.
1. さようなら: Sayounara
Likely the most popular expression when you are parting ways with someone, sayonara — or, more correctly, sayounara (さようなら）is the most literal definition of goodbye. It’s ubiquitous in phrasebooks and textbooks, but as you might have noticed living in Japan, the Japanese people don’t use sayonara in everyday conversation that much.
While it once was an everyday word for saying “bye,” its meaning changed over time to carry a heavier connotation, like you won’t be seeing the listener for a long time, maybe even forever. So, for that reason, it is not too common in everyday Japanese anymore. It is considered a little formal and a bit too heavy to use with friends and family. Even with colleagues, it is not too typical, instead you could opt to say the others on this list instead.
In fact, it carries so much sentiment that in Japanese movies, you’ll usually hear sayonara only when someone is saying goodbye to a loved one who has passed away or to someone they may never see again.
さよなら、みんな。また会えるといいね。
Sayonara, minna. Mata aeru to ii ne.
Goodbye, everyone. I hope we can meet again.
2. お先に失礼します: Osaki ni Shitsurei Shimasu
先に失礼します (osaki ni shitsurei shimasu) is a polite Japanese expression often used as a farewell in work or group settings when you are leaving before others. While it is literally saying, “Excuse me for leaving ahead of you,” it functions as a kind of goodbye to those who are staying behind.
You can say 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu), by itself, which literally translates to “I’ll be rude (by leaving).”
However, it is quite common to say add 先に (saki ni), which means “I’ll be rude by leaving first”. This is a formal expression that acknowledges your consideration of others by addressing that they are still in the office when you are leaving.
To make it even more formal, you can say:
お先に失礼いたします。
Osaki ni shitsurei itashimasu.
Adding お (o) to 先に makes it more polite, showing respect to the listener. いたします is the humble, keigo version of します,.
4. お疲れ様でした: Otsukaresama deshita
お疲れさまでした is a staple of Japanese workplace culture. You usually say this when ending the day or after a task, meaning “Thank you for your hard work.” You can even say this when passing other colleagues in the hallway, which in this case you should say the present tense: お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu).
But when ending the day, it is considered good manners to say お疲れ様でした to your colleagues. While this expression can be formal, you can say in a more casual manner by saying, お疲れ様 (otsukaresama) instead.
5. よろしくお願いします: Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu
You probably first learnt よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) as an expression you say when you meet someone for the first time. But it’s actually a way of saying “goodbye” in a formal capacity as well. When saying it in person, you can accompany it with other words like tomorrow or again. Here are some common expressions:
またよろしくお願いします
Mata yoroshiku onegaishimasu
(See you next time!)
明日よろしくお願いします
Ashita yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
(See you tomorrow)
来週よろしくお願いします
Raishuu yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
(See you next week!)
You can say this expression on any day, month, or even year, based on the circumstance. It is common to say 来年も宜しくお願いします(rainen mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu) to your boss or colleagues. It is both used as a “thank you” and a “farewell”, before departing on the longer winter holiday and meeting again after the new year begins.
The expression よろしくお願いします is also very common for use at the end of emails. It is similar to how we end emails in English when we write, “sincerely” or “best regards”.
6. ありがとうございました: Arigatou Gozaimashita
You can also say ありがとうございました or “thank you very much” as a way of saying goodbye, especially in a more formal setting. Often, when speaking to service staff, when leaving their presence, it’s customary to just say ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) or ありがとうございました (arigatou gozaimashita). Usually, the reverse is the same; the service staff usually say a warm “thank you” as a way of saying “goodbye”.
You can also say 今日はありがとうございました (kyou wa arigatou gozaimashita) to say “thank you for today”. You can say this expression to someone who spent the day working with you, especially if it’s a colleague who helped you a lot that day. You can also add お疲れ様でした (otsukaresama deshita).
7. お邪魔しました: Ojama Shimashita
Ojama shimasu is a common Japanese phrase used when entering someone’s home or office, especially in a formal or polite context. The word 邪魔 (jama) literally means “disturbance” or “hindrance,” so saying ojama shimasu is like politely saying, “Pardon my intrusion” or “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
When you turn it into the past tense, お邪魔しました (ojama shimashita), it’s used when leaving someone’s home or office after a visit. It conveys the sentiment, “Thank you for having me, and sorry for disturbing you,” similar to saying “I’ve troubled you, goodbye” in English. This phrase shows respect and gratitude and is very common in Japanese etiquette.
会議、お疲れ様でした。
Kaigo, otsukare sama deshita.
Thank you for the meeting.
お邪魔しました。失礼します。
Ojama shimashita. Shitsurei shimasu.
Thank you for your time. Excuse me for leaving.
8. お気をつけてお帰りください: Okiotsukete Okaeri Kudasai
Okiotsukete okaeri kudasai is a formal and polite way to say “Have a safe trip home.” It’s commonly used in situations where you want to show care and respect, such as in the hospitality industry or when seeing off guests from your home.
The phrase combines お気をつけて (okiotsukete), meaning “take care” or “be careful,” with お帰りください (okaeri kudasai), meaning “please return home.”
For example, when a guest was leaving a hotel, the staff might say, “お気をつけてお帰りください,” which translates to “Please have a safe trip back home.”
9. また電話します: Mata Denwa Shimasu
Although it doesn’t technically mean “goodbye,” the phrase また電話します (mata denwa shimasu) translates to “I will call again.” It is commonly used as a closing remark, similar to saying “We’ll be in touch,” and is appropriate in professional settings, such as after a meeting when you plan to follow up.
You can also replace the word 電話 (denwa) with other forms of communication, depending on the context.
| Japanese Phrase | Reading | English Meaning |
| また電話します | mata denwa shimasu | I will call again |
| またメッセージします | mata messeji shimasu | I will send a message |
| またメールします | mata meeru shimasu | I will send an email |
| また連絡します | mata renraku shimasu | I will get in touch / contact you |
10. ごきげんよう: Gokingenyou
One phrase that often stands out is “ごきげんよう” (gokigenyou). Unlike the casual “さようなら” or “じゃね,” this expression carries a sense of elegance and refinement. Literally, it means something along the lines of “be well” or “may you be in good spirits.” There is a sense of grace when you say it, and you might hear it in classic Japanese dramas. In real life, however, using it can sound unnecessarily ceremonious. Think of it as a very old-fashioned way of saying goodbye in Japanese.
Neutral & Casual Expression for “Goodbye” in Japanese
The next expressions on this list can be used for both neutral and casual situations. For acquaintances or people you are close to,
11. バイバイ (Baibai)
ばいばい (baibai) is a loanword borrowed from English “bye-bye.” It’s cheerful, casual, and commonly used among children, young adults, and close friends. You’ll often hear young people using it frequently, especially girls, as it tends to sound cute and somewhat feminine when pronounced in a playful way.
It’s not typically used in formal situations or with people you don’t know well, but it’s perfect for lighthearted farewells with friends or family.
じゃあね、バイバイ！
Jaa ne, baibai!”
See you, bye-bye!
12. じゃあね:Jaa Ne
“Ja# or “Jaa ne” is a casual and friendly way to say “See you” in Japanese. It’s commonly used with people you’re close to and on a similar social level, like friends, family, or coworkers, for example. However, it’s considered a bit too informal for older people, bosses, or teachers, so it’s best to use more polite alternatives in those situations.
13. またね: Mata Ne
Closely translates to “See you again.” This expression is simple, natural, and widely used among friends and people you know. There are several ways you can say mata ne, especially with different time frames. The following are just a few examples:
また明日
Mata ashita
See you tomorrow.
また来週
Mata raishuu
“See you next week.
また後で
Mata ato de
See you later.
14. 行ってきます: Ittekimasu
行ってきます is what you say when you are leaving a place, typically your house. This word is revised from two verbs: 行く (iku), which means “to go,” and 来る (kuru), which means “to come”.
The person departing says 行ってきます (ittekimasu), meaning “I’ll go and come back”, while the one staying replies 行ってらっしゃい (itterasshai), or “Please go and come back”. It’s a rather short goodbye since both parties understand they will be seeing each other soon. It is most often used at home, but you can use it at the office as well to let colleagues know you are just heading out of the office momentarily.
15. 行ってらっしゃい: Itterasshai
What about the opposite? If someone says 行ってきます (ittekimasu) to you, or if you know someone is about to leave, you should say いってらっしゃい (itterasshai).
Itterasshai is a warm, friendly way to say “Take care” or “See you later” when someone is leaving the house or going out, and you expect them to come back. It’s often used between family members or close friends. The literal sense is more like “Go and come back safely.”
16. おやすみなさい: Oyasumi Nasai
Meaning “good night” in Japanese, you can also say this expression in both casual and semi-formal occasions as a way of saying farewell. As the meaning implies, you say this expression at night, such as after drinks or when you’re traveling with people. You can say おやすみなさい (oyasumi nasai) to say both goodnight and goodbye.
More casually, the expression is just おやすみ (oyasumi), which you can use with family and friends.
17. お気をつけて: Ki o Tsukete
お気をつけて (ki o tsukete) means “be careful.” You often say 気をつけて (ki o tsukete) when someone is leaving to go home or on a trip, similar to “Take care.”
As a farewell, it’s a warm and caring way to say goodbye, showing concern for the person’s safety. It’s more personal than a neutral “goodbye” because it conveys that you hope the person stays safe until you see them again. It’s commonly used between friends, family members, or colleagues in casual or polite settings.
これから出張に行ってきます。
Kore kara shucchou ni ittekimasu.
I’m heading off on a business trip now.
お気をつけて！
Ki o tsukete!
Safe travels!
18. 元気で: Genki De
Genki de literally means “be well” or “stay healthy.” It’s a casual and friendly way to say goodbye, often used with friends or family. When you say genki de, you’re expressing that you hope the person stays happy, healthy, and in good spirits until you see them again.
It’s informal and warm, so it’s not typically used in formal situations, but it’s perfect for a heartfelt farewell among people you care about.
明日から旅行だね、楽しんでね！
Ashita kara ryokou da ne, tanoshinde ne!
Your trip starts tomorrow, have fun!
ありがとう！じゃあ、元気でね！
Arigatou! Jaa, genki de ne!
Thanks! Alright, take care! / Stay well!
19. お大事に: Odaiji Ni
Usually, you say this when someone is sick or injured. It means “Take care of yourself” or “Get well soon.” So when someone is leaving due to not feeling well, you can say お大事に (odaiji ni) both as a way of saying “bye” and for wishing their recovery.
20. また今度: Mata kondo
また今度 (mata kondo) literally means “again next time,” but it makes more sense contextually. It’s a casual, friendly way to say goodbye when you expect to meet the person again, like saying, “Let’s see each other another time.” Of course, 今度 (kondo), which means next time, doesn’t set a specific date. It could be tomorrow, it could be next week, or even never! It is just a warm, open-ended farewell that keeps the door open for the next meeting.
See You Soon! Final Remarks on Saying “Goodbye” in Japanese
Even something as simple as goodbye in Japanese has a variety of expressions that are suited for different situations and contexts, reflecting the culture of respecting formality in Japan. There is no one-size-fits-all all and knowing when to say the right “bye” is essential for when you want to communicate warmth to those you are close to or be polite to those you need to respect.
Try drilling and practicing some of these expressions from this list so you can understand when to use each in the right context. Practice these expressions by enrolling in courses at Coto Academy, where our teachers can guide you on how to sound natural and fluent in Japanese. We offer fun, flexible part-time Japanese lessons and intensive courses that help you speak Japanese confidently in 4 weeks! Sign up with the form below:
FAQ
What should I say at night instead of “goodbye”?
Use おやすみなさい (oyasuminasai), which means “good night.” It works both as a farewell and a bedtime expression.
Do Japanese people really say sayonara (さようなら)?
Yes, but not often in daily life. Sayonara feels formal and sometimes final, so Japanese people usually use other phrases like otsukaresama desu or mata ne.
What’s the most common way to say goodbye at work?
The standard phrase is お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu), which thanks colleagues for their hard work. If leaving early, you might say お先に失礼します (osaki ni shitsurei shimasu).
How do you say goodbye to friends in Japanese?
Casual phrases include じゃあね (jā ne), またね (mata ne), and バイバイ (baibai). These are friendly and natural among peers.
How do you say “take care” in Japanese?
You can say お気をつけて (o ki o tsukete) when someone is leaving, or 元気で (genki de) if you won’t see them for a long time.
How do you say goodbye if someone is sick?
Use お大事に (odaiji ni), which means “take care of yourself” or “get well soon.