別れのあいさつわかれのあいさつ — Farewells

Rōmaji

Kana

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Hover over or tap a phrase to hear it. Kana and rōmaji are reading aids. A macron, as in ō or ū, marks a long vowel.

Saying goodbye

じゃあね。Jā ne.

See you. A casual goodbye to friends and family.

またね。Mata ne.

See you again. Casual; no particular meeting time is implied.

また明日。またあした。Mata ashita.

See you tomorrow. Used when you expect to meet the next day.

さようなら。Sayōnara.

Goodbye. Used in some school and formal settings; between friends it can sound final or suggest a longer separation.

Leaving politely

失礼します。しつれいします。Shitsurei shimasu.

Excuse me. Polite leave-taking when leaving a room, ending a visit, or finishing a phone call.

お邪魔しました。おじゃましました。Ojama shimashita.

Thank you for having me. Said when leaving someone else’s home; on arrival, say お邪魔します.

お先に失礼します。おさきにしつれいします。Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu.

I’ll be leaving now. Polite; said when leaving work or a group before others.

お疲れさまでした。おつかれさまでした。Otsukaresama deshita.

Thanks for your work today. A common farewell after work or a shared activity, and a usual reply to お先に失礼します. During the working day, お疲れさまです is also used as a greeting between coworkers.

Leaving home and returning

行ってきます。いってきます。Itte kimasu.

I’m off. Said by someone leaving home who expects to return.

行ってらっしゃい。いってらっしゃい。Itterasshai.

See you later. The reply from someone staying behind when another person says 行ってきます.

ただいま。Tadaima.

I’m home. Said on returning home.

おかえりなさい。Okaeri nasai.

Welcome back. The reply to ただいま; おかえり is the more casual form.

Good night and take care

おやすみ。Oyasumi.

Good night. Casual; used before sleep or when parting late at night.

おやすみなさい。Oyasumi nasai.

Good night. The more polite form; it is not an evening greeting on arrival.

気をつけて。きをつけて。Ki o tsukete.

Take care. / Have a safe trip. Said to someone leaving or heading into a situation requiring care.

お大事に。おだいじに。Odaiji ni.

Take care. / Get well soon. Said to someone who is ill or injured, often when parting.

お元気で。おげんきで。Ogenki de.

Take care. / Stay well. Often said when you do not expect to see someone again for a while.