How to End a Conversation With Sayonara

Click here for the dialogue for "Introducing People."

1. Short Questions

When asking information about someone's name or country etc., a shortened form of a question is often used. This leaves just the topic, which is said with rising intonation.

O-namae wa (nan desu ka).      (What is) your name?

お名前は（何ですか）。

O-kuni wa (dochira desu ka).    (Where is) your country?

お国は(どちらですか)。

Go-senmon wa (nan desu ka).   (What is) your field of study?

ご専門は(何ですか)。

2. How to End a Conversation

Sayonara（さよなら) is not normally used when leaving one's own home or places of temporary residence unless one is leaving for a very long time. If you know that you will see a person again soon, expressions like "Ja mata （じゃまた)" or "Mata ashita (また明日)" are used.

"Shitsurei shimasu (失礼します)" is a formal expression used when announcing that you are leaving someone's presence or when you are leaving before someone else (in this case, it is often said as "Osakini shitsurei shimasu(お先に失礼します).") It is also used when entering a house or room, passing in front of someone, or leaving in the middle of a gathering.

Dewa mata.             See you later. 

ではまた。          

Ja mata.                   See you later. (less formal)

じゃまた。

Mata ashita.             See you tomorrow.

また明日。

Sayonara.                 Good-bye.

さよなら。

Shitsurei shimasu.   I am going to leave. (very formal)  

失礼します。