Japanese for Keeping in Touch: Expressing 'Let's Not Lose Touch' and Making Effort
Learn intermediate Japanese phrases to maintain long-term friendships, focusing on longevity and effort. Master expressions like 縁を切らないように and 連絡を取り合おう.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you'll learn how to express the desire to stay connected with someone over the long term in Japanese. Unlike simply saying 'let's meet again,' these phrases emphasize not losing touch and making a continuous effort to maintain the relationship. You'll practice natural expressions that convey longevity and mutual effort, suitable for friends, colleagues, or acquaintances. We'll cover key phrases, a dialogue, and common pitfalls. By the end, you'll be able to use these expressions appropriately in conversations.
By the end, you can…
- express 'let's not lose touch' in Japanese using appropriate phrases.
- talk about making an effort to maintain a relationship over time.
- use verbs like 切らす and 取り合う in context.
- distinguish between casual and polite forms for different relationships.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
縁を切らないようにしましょう。
Let's not lose touch.
En o kiranai yō ni shimashō.
Literally 'let's not cut ties.' Used among friends or acquaintances to express a wish to stay connected. 縁 (en) means 'connection' or 'tie.'
これからも連絡を取り合おうね。
Let's keep in touch from now on.
Kore kara mo renraku o toriatō ne.
Casual, friendly. 連絡を取り合う (renraku o toriau) means 'to keep in touch mutually.' The volitional form 取り合おう (toriatō) makes it a suggestion. The ね softens it.
たまには連絡してね。
Contact me once in a while, okay?
Tama ni wa renraku shite ne.
A gentle request to stay in touch. たまには means 'once in a while.' Often used when parting.
ずっと友達でいようね。
Let's stay friends forever.
Zutto tomodachi de iyō ne.
Expresses long-term friendship. ずっと (zutto) means 'forever' or 'always.' でいよう is the volitional form of でいる (to stay).
関係を絶やさないように努力します。
I'll make an effort not to let our relationship die.
Kankei o tayasanai yō ni doryoku shimasu.
More formal, suitable for colleagues or superiors. 絶やす (tayasu) means 'to let die out' or 'to cut off.' 努力します shows effort.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 〜ないようにする means 'to make sure not to ~' or 'to try not to ~.' It's used to express effort to avoid a negative outcome. For example, 縁を切らないようにする (en o kiranai yō ni suru) means 'to try not to cut ties.' You can change the verb to fit the context: 連絡を絶やさないようにする (renraku o tayasanai yō ni suru) = 'to try not to break off contact.' The polite form is 〜ないようにします, and the volitional form 〜ないようにしよう means 'let's make sure not to ~.' This pattern is essential for expressing ongoing effort in relationships.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you're parting with someone and want to emphasize that you value the connection and intend to maintain it. They are appropriate in both casual and formal settings, depending on the verb ending. For example, with a close friend, you might say 縁を切らないようにしようね (Let's not lose touch, okay?). With a colleague, 連絡を取り合いましょう (Let's keep in touch) is more suitable. Avoid using very casual forms like 〜しようね with superiors; instead, use 〜しましょう or 〜します. Also, these expressions are often used at the end of a conversation, such as after a reunion or before a long departure.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
久しぶりだね！元気だった？
It's been a while! Were you doing well?Hisashiburi da ne! Genki datta?うん、元気だよ。でもなかなか会えなくて寂しかったよ。
Yeah, I'm fine. But I was lonely because we couldn't meet easily.Un, genki da yo. Demo nakanaka aenakute samishikatta yo.これからも連絡を取り合おうね。縁を切らないようにしよう。
Let's keep in touch from now on. Let's not lose touch.Kore kara mo renraku o toriatō ne. En o kiranai yō ni shiyō.そうだね。たまには連絡してね。ずっと友達でいようね。
That's right. Contact me once in a while, okay? Let's stay friends forever.Sō da ne. Tama ni wa renraku shite ne. Zutto tomodachi de iyō ne.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese culture, maintaining long-term relationships is highly valued, and expressing a desire to stay in touch is a common way to show respect and care. However, the level of formality matters: using casual forms like 〜しようね with someone older or of higher status can be rude. When in doubt, use the polite 〜しましょう or 〜します. Also, while 縁を切る literally means 'to cut ties,' it often implies a permanent break, so saying 縁を切らないようにする is a strong way to say 'let's not let that happen.' It's appropriate among friends but might sound dramatic in formal contexts; there, 関係を絶やさないようにする is more neutral.
One thing to watch for
Using 縁を切らないでね as a casual way to say 'don't lose touch.'
Try this instead: 縁を切らないでね means 'don't cut ties (with me),' which can sound like you're accusing the other person of intending to cut ties. It's better to use inclusive forms like 縁を切らないようにしようね (Let's not lose touch) or 連絡してね (Contact me). For example, say これからも連絡を取り合おうね instead of 縁を切らないでね.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'Let's not lose touch' in a casual way to a friend?
Show a sample answer
縁を切らないようにしようね。
This uses the volitional form 〜しようね to suggest a mutual action in a friendly tone. Alternatively, 連絡を取り合おうね is also correct and slightly less dramatic.
2What is the polite form of 'I'll make an effort not to let our relationship die'?
Show a sample answer
関係を絶やさないように努力します。
This uses the polite verb ending 〜します and the formal word 関係 (kankei) for 'relationship.' For a more casual version, you could say 関係を絶やさないように努力するよ.
3Translate to Japanese: 'Contact me once in a while, okay?'
Show a sample answer
たまには連絡してね。
たまには means 'once in a while,' and 連絡してね is a casual request. In a polite context, you could say たまにはご連絡ください.
To express 'let's not lose touch' in Japanese, use 縁を切らないようにしようね or 連絡を取り合おうね for friends, and 関係を絶やさないように努力します for formal situations. Remember to match the formality to your relationship.
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