Japanese word

さようなら

Pronunciation

Romajisayōnara

Meaning

  • interjectiongoodbye

Example

友だちにさようならと言います。tomo da chi ni sa yō na ra to i i ma su

I say goodbye to my friend.

Illustration for さようなら (goodbye)

More examples

帰る前にさようならと言います。kae ru mae ni sa yō na ra to i i ma su

I say goodbye before I leave.

授業が終わったら、先生にさようならと言います。ju gyō ga o wa tta ra sen sei ni sa yō na ra to i i ma su

When class is over, I say goodbye to my teacher.

Core concept

Expresses the closing of an interaction as the speaker and listener go their separate ways.

Common phrases

  • さようなら、また明日sa yō na ra ma ta asu

    Goodbye, see you tomorrow

Similar words

またねmatane: A friendly farewell for people who are likely to meet again.
じゃあねjāne: An informal farewell used when someone leaves or a conversation ends.
バイバイbaibai: An informal farewell with a playful tone, especially common among children.

Definition in Japanese

会話や面会を終えて立ち去るときに相手へ告げる言葉。kai wa ya men kai o o e te ta chi sa ru to ki ni ai te e tsu ge ru koto ba

Word origin

The interjection さようなら (sayōnara) is a shortened form of さようならば (sayōnaraba), an expression meaning "if that is so" that came to mark a parting.

Usage tips

  • The English loanword sayonara often carries a dramatic farewell tone, so its use in English can sound stronger or more theatrical than an ordinary Japanese parting.

Other meanings

  • farewellinterjection
  • so longinterjection

Word lists with this word