Ekiben 駅弁
English (Australia)

People 交流 · Stop P03

お礼とお別れ

Warm thanks and goodbyes in Japanese

Your last morning at a thatched farmhouse inn in Shirakawa-go. Your host has come out to see you off. Thank your host, say you had a great time, and promise to come back.

  • 白川郷 · Set in Shirakawa-go
  • 6-minute lesson
  • With Ekiben Pass

Phrases

おせわになりました

osewa ni narimashita

Thank you for everything.

Say it when you leave people who looked after you: hosts, guides, ryokan staff.

Literally: I was well looked after.

お世話にosewa ni · in your careなりましたnarimashita · I was

たのしかったです

tanoshikatta desu

I had a great time.

With friends, drop the です: 楽しかった！

Literally: It was fun.

楽しかったtanoshikatta · was funですdesu · (polite)

またきます！

mata kimasu!

I'll be back!

The perfect goodbye to a shop, inn or restaurant you loved.

Literally: I'll come again!

またmata · again来ますkimasu · will come

げんきでね

genki de ne

Take care!casual

Casual, for friends and kids. To hosts or older people, say お元気で.

Literally: Stay well, okay?

元気でgenki de · in good healthねne · OK?

おげんきで

ogenki de

Please take care.

A warm, polite goodbye to someone you may not see for a while.

お元気ogenki · (your) good healthでde · (stay) in

What you’ll hear

Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.

Shirakawa-go wa dou deshita ka?

How did you like Shirakawa-go?

A host asking about your stay as you get ready to leave.

You

tanoshikatta desu

I had a great time.

mata kite kudasai ne.

Please come again!

A warm goodbye from hosts and shop owners.

You

mata kimasu!

I'll be back!

ki o tsukete kaette ne.

Get home safe!

Casual: a host or friend seeing you off.

You

osewa ni narimashita

Thank you for everything.

Culture tip

Seeing You Off

Hosts and shop staff often see you off at the door and keep bowing or waving until you're out of sight. This is お見送り (omiokuri). Turn around once or twice to wave or nod back. It's a warm way to end a visit.

“Hosts and shop staff may keep bowing or waving until you're out of sight.”

Practise scene

Goodbye, Shirakawa-go

The doorway of a thatched farmhouse inn on your last morning. Your host has come out to see you off.

Mrs. Oyama · Farmhouse inn host

  1. Your turn: Thank your host for looking after you.

    osewa ni narimashita

    Thank you for everything.

  2. ie ie. Shirakawa-go wa dou deshita ka?

    Not at all. How did you like Shirakawa-go?

  3. Your turn: Tell her you had a great time.

    tanoshikatta desu

    I had a great time.

  4. yokatta! mata kite kudasai ne.

    I'm so glad! Please come again.

  5. Your turn: Promise you'll come back.

    mata kimasu!

    I'll be back!

  6. matteru yo. genki de ne!

    I'll be waiting. Take care!

  7. Your turn: Wish her well in return, politely.

    ogenki de

    Please take care.

  8. ki o tsukete ne!

    Safe travels!

Phrases from Ekiben content v3