送 別 会(そうべつかい)

そうべつかい

noun

farewell party; send-off party

1. farewell party; send-off party; going-away party

A gathering held to say goodbye to someone who is leaving, such as a colleague transferring to another office, a retiring employee, or a friend moving away.

送別会(そうべつかい)を開(ひら)く。

To hold a farewell party.

転勤(てんきん)する同僚(どうりょう)の送別会(そうべつかい)に出席(しゅっせき)した。

I attended the farewell party for a colleague who is transferring.

部長(ぶちょう)の送別会(そうべつかい)は金曜日(きんようび)の夜(よる)に駅前(えきまえ)の居酒屋(いざかや)で行(おこな)われる予定(よてい)だ。

The farewell party for the department head is scheduled for Friday night at the izakaya near the station.

Usage

Very common in Japanese workplace culture, where farewell parties are an important social ritual. Typically held at restaurants or izakaya. The opposite is 歓迎会(かんげいかい) (welcome party).

Common collocations

送別会(そうべつかい)を開(ひら)く (to hold a farewell party)
送別会(そうべつかい)に出(で)る (to attend a farewell party)
送別会(そうべつかい)の幹事(かんじ) (organizer of a farewell party)

Similar words

歓送迎会(かんそうげいかい): combined welcome and farewell party — held when someone arrives and another departs simultaneously
歓迎会(かんげいかい): welcome party — the counterpart for new arrivals

Related Words

Antonym: 歓迎会(かんげいかい) (welcome party)

Related: 送別(そうべつ) (farewell, send-off)

Compare: 歓送迎会(かんそうげいかい) (combined welcome and farewell party)

Related: 飲(の)みニケーション (bonding over drinks)

Compare: 親睦会(しんぼくかい) (social gathering)

Related: 新年会(しんねんかい) (New Year's party)

Related: 謝恩会(しゃおんかい) (thank-you party)

general

Added 2026.3.9 21:19 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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