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Japanese Versatility List

Heading off

Conversation phrases, Stage 2chunk 68 of 71Greetings, thanks and sorry

Lets you leave before others or part for longer.

Mix-ups osaki ni (I'm off first) is not osaki ni douzo (after you).

osaki ni

polite osaki ni shitsurei shimasu

I'm heading off (before you); after you

Short form for leaving before others, or with douzo for letting someone go first.

Also before eating or bathing first: osaki ni itadakimasu.

casual

jaa, osaki ni! otsukare.

Okay, I'm heading off! Good work.

じゃあ、お先に！お疲れ。

polite

sumimasen, osaki ni shitsurei shimasu.

Sorry, I'll be leaving before you.

すみません、お先に失礼します。

Written お先に · おさきに · お先に失礼しますWho you say it and hear itHeard 152× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

mata raishuu

see you next week

Goodbye to people you see weekly: classmates, a teacher, coworkers on a Friday.

casual

otsukare! mata raishuu ne.

Good work! See you next week.

お疲れ！また来週ね。

polite

kyou mo arigatou gozaimashita. mata raishuu yoroshiku onegai shimasu.

Thanks again for today. See you next week.

今日もありがとうございました。また来週よろしくお願いします。

Written また来週 · またらいしゅうWho you say it and hear itHeard 32× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

yoroshiku tsutaete

polite yoroshiku otsutae kudasai

say hi to them for me

Sends your regards to someone who isn't there, usually as you part: X ni yoroshiku tsutaete.

Often cut to just X ni yoroshiku.

casual

okaasan ni yoroshiku tsutaete ne.

Say hi to your mom for me.

お母さんによろしく伝えてね。

polite

okusan ni yoroshiku otsutae kudasai.

Please give my regards to your wife.

奥さんによろしくお伝えください。

Written よろしく伝えて · よろしくつたえて · よろしくお伝えくださいWho you say it and hear itHeard 48× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles

sayounara

goodbye

Sounds final or formal: teachers and pupils at the end of the school day, or a goodbye for a long time.

Friends rarely say it day to day, and between partners it can sound like a breakup. Use mata ne instead.

casual

minna, sayounara! ki o tsukete kaette ne.

Bye, everyone! Get home safe.

みんな、さようなら！気をつけて帰ってね。

Written さようならWho you say it and hear itHeard 707× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles