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Grammar detail: various ways to say goodbye

various ways to say goodbye
282 words
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In English the word 'goodbye' is somewhat universal - you can use it in most situations when you part from someone else. Japanese does not have an equivalent - instead, different words are appropriate in different situations, although there is considerable overlap.
When you are leaving home for work or an errand etc, you would say いってきます (literally, 'I'm going and coming'):
Most common form: 行ってきます
expression
I'm off; see you later  (see also: 行って来る; often has a response of いってらっしゃい; polite (teineigo) language)
(click the word to view an additional 3 forms, examples and links)
This would usually be met with the response いってらっしゃい, meaning 'see you soon':
interjection (kandoushi)
have a good day; take care; see you  (often in response to いってきます; often written with kana only)
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
At the workplace, it is customary to say お先に失礼します (or お先に失礼いたします to a more senior person). This literally means 'I apologize for leaving ahead of you'.
expression
pardon me for leaving (first) (used when leaving a workplace while others remain)
(click the word for examples and links)
The usual response to this is お疲れ様です or お疲れ様でした ('you must be tired'), which is also something you can say to someone else as they leave. In some workplaces it is common to say this yourself when you are leaving, but in others this can be viewed as a little condescending, so it is best to follow the local custom!
The difference between these two expressions is subtle, and open to debate. The です form is much more common as a parting comment, whereas the でした form would be used more specifically to express appreciation.
0
expression
1. thank you; many thanks; much appreciated
2. that's enough for today
(click the word to view an additional 3 forms, examples and links)
When leaving friends and colleagues at a social event, there are many casual options, such as:
Most common form: じゃあまた
expression
see you later (used in casual correspondence and conversation); goodbye; sincerely  (abbreviation)
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
expression
see you later (used in casual correspondence and conversation); goodbye; sincerely  (abbreviation)
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
expression
good-bye; see you later
(click the word for examples and links)
Most common form: じゃね
expression
See you then; Bye; Ciao
(click the word to view an additional 2 forms, examples and links)
or even just the universal:
1
interjection (kandoushi)
1. thanks  (see also: どうも有難う; abbreviation)
2. much (thanks); very (sorry); quite (regret)
(click the word to view an additional 4 meanings, examples and links)
Finally, when you are saying goodbye to a friend or relation you are not likely to see again for some time, for example before going on a longer trip, you would use the word most commonly associated with 'goodbye' in Japanese - さようなら (note that さようなら and さよなら are both acceptable, but さようなら is more polite / formal):
4
interjection (kandoushi)
good-bye  (often written with kana only)
(click the word to view an additional 1 form, examples and links)
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Kanji used in this grammar

セン   さき ahead   
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シツ   うしな to lose   
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ライ   レイ    thanks, salutation   
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ヒ   fatigue   つかれる to be tired   
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ヨウ   さま Mr / Mrs   
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