This workshop helps you practice two distinct Japanese goodbye situations using the supplied recordings. You will act out a workplace departure where one person leaves before others, and a casual exchange between friends who plan to meet tomorrow. The focus is on choosing the right farewell and responding with the correct role. You will speak both parts yourself, using the recorded audio as a model. By the end, you should be able to produce polite and casual goodbyes without mixing them up.
Leaving the workplace first
In this exchange, one person leaves the office before colleagues. The departing person says «お先に失礼します。» which means “Excuse me for leaving before you.” The person staying replies «お疲れ様でした。» meaning “Thank you for your hard work.” Notice that the departing role uses the polite leaving-first phrase, while the staying role acknowledges the other person’s effort. These two lines form one complete exchange. You do not need to add extra turns. Practice saying each line with the correct role: first as the person leaving, then as the person staying.
Casual goodbye with a friend
This is a separate exchange between friends. One friend says «じゃあね、また明日。» meaning “See you, see you tomorrow.” The other replies «またね。» meaning “See you later.” Here, both people are leaving together or ending a casual conversation. The tone is friendly and relaxed. Do not use the workplace leaving-first phrase in this situation. Practice switching between the two roles: first as the friend who says the longer goodbye, then as the friend who replies with the shorter one.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
さようなら。
Goodbye.
sa-yo-o-na-ra
失礼します。
Excuse me / Goodbye (polite).
shi-tsu-re-e shi-ma-su
お先に失礼します。
Excuse me for leaving before you.
o-sa-ki ni shi-tsu-re-e shi-ma-su
じゃあね。
See you.
ja-a ne
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
お先に失礼します。
Excuse me for leaving before you.お疲れ様でした。
Thank you for your hard work.じゃあね、また明日。
See you, see you tomorrow.またね。
See you later.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided workplace departure
You are at work. You need to leave before your colleague. Your colleague stays behind.
Your task: Say the departing line «お先に失礼します。» Then switch roles and say the staying reply «お疲れ様でした。» Repeat until both feel natural.
Choose the right casual reply
A friend says «じゃあね、また明日。» to you as you both leave.
Your task: Choose the correct reply from the recording: «またね。» Say it clearly. Then reverse roles and say the first line yourself.
Recall both exchanges with roles
Without looking at the lines, recall the two separate exchanges: one at work, one with a friend.
Your task: Say the workplace exchange from memory, naming who says which line. Then say the casual exchange from memory, again naming the speaker roles.
Common questions
Can I use «お先に失礼します。» when everyone is leaving together?
No. That phrase is specifically for leaving before others. If everyone leaves together, a simple «お疲れ様でした。» or a casual goodbye like «じゃあね。» is more suitable.
Is «さようなら。» wrong in casual conversation?
It is not wrong, but it can sound formal or final. Among friends, «じゃあね。» or «またね。» feels more natural for a temporary goodbye.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: saying goodbye formal informalChecked September 2026
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