Japanese for Leaving a Host's Home: Thanking and Saying Goodbye Politely
Learn elementary Japanese phrases to thank your host and say goodbye at the end of an evening, including how to compliment the evening while focusing on departure.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you leave a Japanese friend's home after dinner or a party, you need more than a simple 'sayonara'. You want to thank your host for the evening and signal that you are leaving. This lesson teaches you set phrases for departure, such as 'Konban wa tanoshikatta desu' (It was a lovely evening) and 'Sore ja, shitsurei shimasu' (Well then, excuse me for leaving). You will learn how to combine gratitude with a clear goodbye, and how to respond when your host says 'Ki o tsukete' (Take care). These expressions are used at the door or genkan, and they differ from compliments you might give during the meal.
By the end, you can…
- thank my host for a lovely evening in Japanese.
- say goodbye and excuse myself when leaving a host's home.
- respond appropriately when my host says 'Ki o tsukete' or 'Mata kite kudasai'.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
今晩は楽しかったです。
It was a lovely evening.
Konban wa tanoshikatta desu.
Use when leaving, to compliment the evening as a whole. 'Tanoshikatta' is the past tense of 'tanoshii' (enjoyable).
ありがとうございました。
Thank you very much.
Arigatō gozaimashita.
Polite past-tense thank you, appropriate when the event is finished. Use this rather than 'arigatō' alone for a host.
それでは、失礼します。
Well then, excuse me for leaving.
Sore de wa, shitsurei shimasu.
Standard polite leave-taking. 'Shitsurei shimasu' literally means 'I will be rude', but it is a set phrase for leaving or interrupting.
お世話になりました。
Thank you for everything / I appreciate your hospitality.
Osewa ni narimashita.
Warm, slightly formal gratitude used when leaving someone's home after being cared for. Good for a host who cooked or hosted you.
気をつけて。
Take care. / Be careful.
Ki o tsukete.
Your host may say this as you leave. It is a friendly farewell, not a command. Reply with 'Arigatō gozaimasu' or 'Hai, arigatō gozaimasu'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To thank your host for the evening, use the past-tense adjective 'tanoshikatta' plus 'desu': 'Konban wa tanoshikatta desu.' You can also say 'Totemo tanoshikatta desu' (It was very enjoyable). If you want to mention the food, say 'Gochisōsama deshita' (Thank you for the meal). Combine these with 'Arigatō gozaimashita' for a complete departure: 'Konban wa tanoshikatta desu. Arigatō gozaimashita.'
When to use it
Use these phrases at the door or in the genkan as you put on your shoes, not while still sitting at the table. 'Shitsurei shimasu' signals that you are actually leaving. If your host says 'Mata kite kudasai' (Please come again), reply 'Hai, arigatō gozaimasu. Mata ojamashimasu' (Yes, thank you. I'll visit again). Avoid saying 'Sayonara' to a host; it sounds final and distant. 'Sore de wa' or 'Ja, mata' is warmer for everyday partings.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
今日は本当に楽しかったです。ありがとうございました。
Today was really fun. Thank you very much.Kyō wa hontō ni tanoshikatta desu. Arigatō gozaimashita.いいえ、こちらこそ。気をつけて帰ってね。
No, thank you. Take care going home.Iie, kochira koso. Ki o tsukete kaette ne.はい、ありがとうございます。それでは、失礼します。
Yes, thank you. Well then, excuse me for leaving.Hai, arigatō gozaimasu. Sore de wa, shitsurei shimasu.また来てくださいね。おやすみなさい。
Please come again. Good night.Mata kite kudasai ne. Oyasuminasai.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese homes, the departure ritual often happens at the genkan (entryway). You may put on your shoes while still talking, then turn to bow slightly and say 'Shitsurei shimasu.' A small bow with these words is polite. If your host gave you a gift or food to take home, say 'Sumimasen, arigatō gozaimasu' to acknowledge the extra kindness. Avoid long goodbyes at the door; Japanese hosts may feel they must keep seeing you off until you are out of sight.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Sayonara' when leaving a friend's home after a nice evening.
Try this instead: 'Sayonara' can sound final or distant, as if you may not meet again. Instead, use 'Sore de wa, shitsurei shimasu' or 'Ja, mata ne' for a warm, everyday goodbye. For example: 'Sore de wa, shitsurei shimasu. Arigatō gozaimashita.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'It was a lovely evening' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
今晩は楽しかったです。 (Konban wa tanoshikatta desu.)
This uses the past tense 'tanoshikatta' plus 'desu'. You could also say 'Totemo tanoshikatta desu' for emphasis.
2Your host says 'Ki o tsukete.' What is a polite reply?
Show a sample answer
ありがとうございます。 (Arigatō gozaimasu.)
'Arigatō gozaimasu' thanks the host for their concern. 'Hai, arigatō gozaimasu' is also fine and natural.
3What phrase do you use to excuse yourself as you leave?
Show a sample answer
それでは、失礼します。 (Sore de wa, shitsurei shimasu.)
This is the standard polite leave-taking. 'Shitsurei shimasu' alone also works when you are already at the door.
At the end of an evening, thank your host with 'Arigatō gozaimashita' and 'Konban wa tanoshikatta desu', then say 'Sore de wa, shitsurei shimasu' as you leave. Avoid 'Sayonara' with a host; use 'Ja, mata' or 'Shitsurei shimasu' for a warm goodbye.
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