How To Say Goodbye In Japanese: 10+ Essential Phrases

If you have just started learning Japanese, you might be wondering how to say goodbye in Japanese properly. Don’t worry, you have come to the right place! In this article, you will learn 10+ essential Japanese phrases for saying goodbye in multiple situations.

So, If you want to hone your Japanese language skills and express yourself with confidence—keep on reading!

Goodbye In Japanese: Most Common Expressions

There are many ways of saying goodbye in Japanese, depending on the context. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones:

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• Goodbye – Sayounara (さようなら)
• See you – Ja ne (じゃね)
• See you later – Mata ne (またね)
• See you tomorrow – Mata ashita (また明日)
• Bye-bye – Bai bai (バイバイ)
• Thanks for your hard work – Otsukare sama deshita (お疲れ様でした)
• Excuse me for leaving before you – Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu (お先に失礼します)
• Thanks for having me – Ojama shimashita (お邪魔しました)
• Good night – Oyasumi nasai (おやすみなさい)

How To Say Goodbye In Japanese In Formal Contexts

In formal situations, such as business meetings or when interacting with someone of higher status, it is essential to use formal language and expressions. One of the most formal ways of saying goodbye in Japanese is sayonara (さようなら), which literally means “goodbye” but carries a sense of finality and long-term separation. This makes it suitable for more formal occasions where you might not see the person again for a while.

When you look for the phrase “good-bye” in Japanese, the translation will be sayonara (さようなら). However, even though this is the correct answer, we must note how and when to use it. For example, if you’re saying goodbye to someone who is moving out of the country or going on a long trip, you can saysayonara (さようなら). However, if you want to say goodbye to someone that you will meet again in the near future, you can use a lighter expression like mata ne (またね).

Another formal expression is osaki ni shitsurei shimasu (お先に失礼します), which means “excuse me” or “I apologize for leaving.” This phrase is often used when leaving a room or conversation. It shows a high level of respect and acknowledges that you are interrupting or leaving before others.

Osakini- (お先に) means ‘ahead,’ and shitsurei (失礼) means ‘discourtesy,’ so you’re actually saying, ‘I’m being rude by leaving first.’ This is a very common way of saying goodbye at work between co-workers.

Otsukare sama deshita (お疲れ様でした)’ is another common phrase used in professional settings, which means “thank you for your hard work.” At the end of the day, people say this to each other all the time. If you want to use it in a casual way, you just have to remove deshita (でした). Otsukare sama (お疲れ様) will mean the same.

Tsukare (疲れ) means ‘exhaustion.’ By saying “thanks for your hard work”-otsukare sama (お疲れ様), you are acknowledging someone’s hard work. However, Japanese people will take it as a ‘bye-bye’ at the end of the day.

The expression ojama shimashita (お邪魔しました) literally means, “I got in the way” or “I bothered you.” However, it’s used to express gratitude in Japanese, essentially saying, ‘Thank you for having me.’ It’s commonly used when leaving someone’s home, but you can also use it when you feel you’ve taken up someone’s time.

If you have eaten out with your Japanese, you might have heard the phrase Gochisou sama deshita (御馳走様でした). This Japanese phrase means “thank you for the meal” or “it was a feast,” and it’s used to express gratitude to the host for the hospitality. If you’re leaving the restaurant after your meal, this will be the perfect phrase to use as ‘bye’ to the restaurant staff.  

You might have also heard oyasumi nasai (おやすみなさい), which means “have a nice rest” or “good night” in Japanese. This phrase is used when you’re saying goodbye to someone late at night.

Using these formal farewells correctly allows us to maintain proper etiquette in Japanese culture, especially in professional or hierarchical contexts.

Casual Ways To Say Goodbye In Japanese

There are several casual ways to say goodbye in Japanese, such as with friends or family members. One of the most common ones is ja ne (じゃね), which means “see you” and is often used among friends and peers. It’s a friendly and informal way to part ways, perfect for everyday conversation.

Another casual expression is mata ne (*またね), which means “see you again” and is a friendly way to part ways. This phrase is often used when you expect to see the person again soon.

You can also mix these two if you’d like.  

Example: See you again- Ja matane (じゃあまたね)

Did you notice that we add a– (あ) in the middle and use ne– (ね) only once when you put them together? Japanese people often use ja a (じゃあ) when they’re trying to gather their thoughts during a conversation. It’s more of a sound effect, meaning “well, then.”

Let me stop here before I go too deep into this.

Another popular phrase is mata ashita (また明日), which means “see you tomorrow.”

If you go back to * and focus on the Japanese words, you’ll notice the word mata (また) appears many times. Can you guess what mata means? It means ‘again.’ When you say ‘bye’ to someone, you’re expressing the hope to meet them again!

Bai bai (バイバイ)’ is also a casual way to say goodbye, often used among younger people. It’s borrowed from English and is widely understood, making it a simple and easy option for casual farewells. Easy peasy! Try to remember this is used exclusively for casual conversations.

Understanding Japanese Culture And Goodbyes

Japanese culture places a strong emphasis on politeness and respect, which is reflected in the way goodbyes are said. In Japan, goodbyes are not just a simple “see you later” or “bye” but rather a way to show respect and appreciation for the person you are parting with.

In Japan, goodbyes are often accompanied by a bow, which is a sign of respect and gratitude. The depth and duration of the bow depend on the level of formality and the relationship between the individuals. For example, a deeper and longer bow is typically used in formal situations or when showing respect to someone of higher status. This practice underscores the importance of hierarchy and social harmony in Japanese culture. So, when you say goodbye in Japanese, remember that it’s not just about the words you use but also about the gestures and the respect you convey.

Helpful Tip

Oh, I almost forgot! Learning a new language isn’t just about boring words. Whenever I want to learn a new language, I always listen to the radio station in that language. Music is also a great resource for language learners. Here’s a cool Japanese song about saying ‘good-bye.’

It’s called Sayonara Baby by Fujii Kaze. He’s one of my favorite Japanese singers these days, and he performed in the U.S. in 2024. If you follow the lyrics, you’ll notice that sayonara is used as a “forever goodbye.” Just so you know, it wasn’t easy to pick only one song!

Vocabulary Related To Goodbyes In Japanese

Now that you know various ways to say goodbye in Japanese remember that the right expression depends on the situation when conversing with native speakers. Below are the key expressions we covered today. Take a moment to review these useful phrases, and don’t forget to say them out loud as you read!

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Say Goodbye In Japanese

1. How Do You Politely Say Goodbye In Japanese?

At work, you can say “I’m sorry for leaving first” – Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu (お先に失礼します) or “Thank you for your hard work” – Otsukaresama deshita (お疲れ様でした). If you’re at a restaurant, you can say “Thank you for the meal” – Gochisou sama deshita (御馳走様でした). If you’re leaving someone’s house, you can say “Thank you for having me” – Ojama shimashita (お邪魔しました).

2. Is It Bye-Bye Or Sayonara?

In daily life, you won’t need to use sayonara that often, as it typically implies a “goodbye forever” or a long-term farewell. You wouldn’t want to say sayonara to someone you’ll see again tomorrow. In situations where it’s fine to use casual Japanese phrases, “bye-bye” is a better option.

3. What Do The Japanese Say When Leaving?

It depends. Let’s say you’re leaving your house to go somewhere. The best Japanese phrase for that will be “I’m going and will come back” –itteki masu (行ってきます). If you’re leaving after work, the best answer will be “I’m sorry for leaving first” –Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu (お先に失礼します) or “Thank you for your hard work” –otsukaresama deshita (お疲れ様でした). When you say goodbye to each other in a casual way, you can use “see you” –Ja ne (じゃね) or “see you again” ->mata ne (またね).

Wrapping Up

We learned a lot today! If someone asks me, “Which phrase do you use the most when you say bye in Japanese?” My answer will be “see you” -> Ja ne (じゃね) or “see you again” -> mata ne (またね) in an informal way. In a formal setting, I would use Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu (お先に失礼します) or Otsukaresama deshita (お疲れ様でした).

Don’t forget that there are many other ways of saying goodbye in Japanese. It all depends on where, when, or to whom you’re saying it.

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Dewa matane! (ではまたね) – See you next time!