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How to Say ‘Goodbye.’ in Japanese

失礼します。

shitsurei shi masu

[sheet-soo-RAY shee mahs]

💬 Usage Tip: Literally this means "I'm being rude," and it isn't really a word for "goodbye." It works as a polite way to end a call or leave a room.

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is the standard way to end a business phone call or leave someone's office. Japanese callers often wait for the other person to hang up first, as a small courtesy.

Phrase Breakdown

失礼

shitsurei

[sheet-soo-RAY]

rudeness; excuse me

Means impoliteness; with します it's a polite way to excuse yourself or say goodbye.

Example

お先に失礼します。

Excuse me for leaving before you.

し

shi

[shee]

do

し is the stem of する, meaning to do.

Example

予約しします。

I do the reservation.

ます

masu

[mahs]

polite verb ending

A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.

Example

予約を確認し ます。

I will confirm the reservation.

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