sayonara

Sayonara (さようなら or さよなら) is a Japanese farewell expression meaning “goodbye.” It is typically used when parting for a long time or when a future reunion is uncertain, and it can carry a more formal or final nuance than casual parting phrases.

Etymology: The term derives from the classical phrase sayō naraba (左様ならば), literally “if that is so” or “if it is thus.” Over time this phrase contracted into a standalone expression. In modern usage, sayonara conveys a sense of formality or finality, and speakers often opt for lighter valedictions such as mata ne (またね) or ja ne (じゃあね) in everyday conversation.

Usage: In Japanese, sayonara is appropriate when a separation is expected to be long or permanent. Among friends or family, it can sound old-fashioned or overly formal, so casual alternatives are common. Context and tone influence whether sayonara signals a sincere, solemn farewell or a routine goodbye.

In culture: The word Sayonara entered English-language media notably through the 1957 film Sayonara, which popularized the term in Western audiences. Since then, sayonara has appeared in various forms of media, music, and literature as a loanword that conveys a Japanese farewell. It remains widely understood as “goodbye,” with nuanced implications about duration and certainty of reunion.