さようなら
さようなら
expression
goodbye
1.
goodbye
A formal or semi-formal farewell used when parting for an extended period. More formal than じゃあね or バイバイ.
さようなら、お元気で。
Goodbye, take care.
先生にさようならと言った。
I said goodbye to the teacher.
卒業式で友達にさようならを言うのは悲しかった。
It was sad to say goodbye to my friends at the graduation ceremony.
さようなら is a farewell expression. It originally comes from the phrase さようならば (if that is the case), implying acceptance of parting.
USAGE:
- Used when parting for a longer period or when uncertain about the next meeting
- Common in school settings (students say it when leaving school)
- Carries a sense of finality compared to casual farewells
ALTERNATIVE FAREWELLS:
- じゃあね / じゃあ: casual (see you)
- バイバイ: casual (bye-bye)
- では / それでは: polite/formal (well then)
- 失礼します: formal (excuse me, I'll take my leave)
NOTE: Among adults, さようなら is less common in everyday conversation. じゃあ、また or お疲れさまです are more typical.