Japanese: Saying Goodbye When Leaving Someone's Home
Learn beginner Japanese phrases for leaving a friend's or host's home, including 'Thanks for having me' and 'Let's do this again soon,' with polite and casual variants.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
Leaving someone's home in Japanese is not just a quick 'bye.' You usually thank your host for the time and the hospitality, and you often add a wish to meet again. This lesson focuses only on those departure phrases: what to say as you are about to leave, at the door, and after you have left. You will learn polite forms for hosts and casual forms for close friends, plus the common set phrases that make you sound natural.
By the end, you can…
- thank a host for having me in polite and casual Japanese.
- say 'Let's do this again soon' and similar follow-up phrases when leaving someone's home.
- choose between polite and casual farewell phrases based on who my host is.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
お邪魔しました。
Thank you for having me. / Sorry for intruding.
o-jama shimashita
The standard polite phrase when leaving someone's home. Literally 'I intruded,' but it functions as a warm thank-you for hosting.
今日はありがとうございました。
Thank you for today.
kyou wa arigatou gozaimashita
A safe, polite thank-you used as you leave. Works with friends' parents, coworkers, and anyone you met for the first time.
また誘ってください。
Please invite me again.
mata sasotte kudasai
Polite and friendly. Use it when you would like to be invited back, especially to a host who planned the gathering.
また集まりましょう。
Let's get together again.
mata atsumarimashou
A polite suggestion for a group. Good when several people were present and you want to include everyone.
またね。
See you again. / Later.
mata ne
Casual and warm. Use with close friends and people your own age. Not for a boss or a host you have just met.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A very useful pattern is 'また + verb.' 'また' means 'again,' and you attach a verb in the polite or casual form. For example, 'また集まりましょう' (mata atsumarimashou) means 'Let's get together again,' and 'また誘ってください' (mata sasotte kudasai) means 'Please invite me again.' With close friends, you can shorten it to 'またね' (mata ne). The key is that 'また' comes first, then the invitation or request.
When to use it
Use 'お邪魔しました' (o-jama shimashita) when you are leaving a home, not a restaurant or a shop. It is polite and works with almost any host. If you are very close to the person, 'ありがとう' (arigatou) or '楽しかった' (tanoshikatta, 'it was fun') is enough. At the door, add 'またね' or 'また集まりましょう.' If the host is older or a superior, keep the polite 'ました' forms and avoid casual 'またね.'
Polite and casual pairs
Many farewell phrases come in polite and casual pairs. Polite: 'お邪魔しました' (o-jama shimashita), 'ありがとうございました' (arigatou gozaimashita), 'また誘ってください' (mata sasotte kudasai). Casual: 'ありがとう' (arigatou), '楽しかった' (tanoshikatta), 'またね' (mata ne). Choose based on your relationship and the situation, not on how friendly you feel.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
今日は本当にありがとうございました。
Thank you so much for today.kyou wa hontou ni arigatou gozaimashitaいいえ、こちらこそ。また来てくださいね。
No, thank you. Please come again.iie, kochira koso. mata kite kudasai neはい、また誘ってください。お邪魔しました。
Yes, please invite me again. Thank you for having me.hai, mata sasotte kudasai. o-jama shimashita気をつけて帰ってね。
Get home safely.ki o tsukete kaette neA little context goes a long way
In Japanese homes, the farewell often happens at the door or even outside, and hosts may wait until you are out of sight. Saying 'お邪魔しました' as you leave shows awareness that you entered their private space. With close friends, a short 'またね' is natural, but with a host you do not know well, keep the polite 'ました' forms. A small bow while saying these phrases is common and appreciated.
One thing to watch for
Using 'さようなら' (sayounara) when leaving a friend's home.
Try this instead: 'さようなら' sounds final and distant, like a long goodbye. For leaving a home, use 'お邪魔しました' (o-jama shimashita) with a host, or 'またね' (mata ne) with a close friend. Example: 'お邪魔しました。またね。'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are leaving your friend's parents' house. Which phrase is the best thank-you as you leave?
Show a sample answer
お邪魔しました。
'お邪魔しました' is the standard polite phrase for leaving someone's home and thanks the host for having you. 'ありがとう' alone is possible but less complete in this situation.
2Your close friend hosted a small party. You want to say 'Let's get together again' casually. What can you say?
Show a sample answer
またね。
'またね' is a natural casual way to say 'see you again' or 'let's do this again' with close friends. 'また集まりましょう' is also correct but more polite and group-oriented.
3You want to politely ask your host to invite you again. Which phrase fits?
Show a sample answer
また誘ってください。
'また誘ってください' means 'Please invite me again' and is polite and friendly. 'また来てください' means 'Please come again' and is said by the host, not the guest.
When leaving a Japanese home, thank your host with 'お邪魔しました' or 'ありがとうございました,' then add 'また誘ってください' or 'またね' to wish for a next time. Match the politeness to your relationship.
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