Goodbye
sayōnara
When it comes to parting phrases, there are also any number of variations on the traditional sayōnara.
Buh-bye
bainara
![](/files/03/94/07/f039407/public/matt_9781569750674_oeb_042_r1.gif)
See ya
hon jā ne
![](/files/03/94/07/f039407/public/matt_9781569750674_oeb_043_r1.gif)
Later
mata nē
![](/files/03/94/07/f039407/public/matt_9781569750674_oeb_044_r1.gif)
Smell you later (tough guy way of saying “bye”)
aba yo
![](/files/03/94/07/f039407/public/matt_9781569750674_oeb_045_r1.gif)
Hey!
oi!
In British English, “oi” is a slightly impolite word used to get people’s attention. In Japanese, oi is a slightly impolite word used to get people’s attention. Go figure. Other attention grabbers:
Look!
hora
![](/files/03/94/07/f039407/public/matt_9781569750674_oeb_047_r1.gif)
Hey, kid…
na kimi
![](/files/03/94/07/f039407/public/matt_9781569750674_oeb_048_r1.gif)
Come here a sec.
chotto oide
![](/files/03/94/07/f039407/public/matt_9781569750674_oeb_049_r1.gif)
I want to have a word with you.
hanashi ga arundakedo
![](/files/03/94/07/f039407/public/matt_9781569750674_oeb_050_r1.gif)
Myself
jibun
One of the great things about Japanese is the variety of personal pronouns you can assume. The main three ways to say “I” are:
I (feminine/polite)
watashi
![](/files/03/94/07/f039407/public/matt_9781569750674_oeb_052_r1.gif)
I’m Nancy!
watashi wa nanshī dēsu
![](/files/03/94/07/f039407/public/matt_9781569750674_oeb_053_r1.gif)
I (boyish)
boku
![](/files/03/94/07/f039407/public/matt_9781569750674_oeb_054_r1.gif)
I’m studying as hard as I can to get into college!
boku wa isshō kemmei juken benkyō o yatte māsu
![](/files/03/94/07/f039407/public/matt_9781569750674_oeb_055_r1.gif)
I (manly)
ore
![](/files/03/94/07/f039407/public/matt_9781569750674_oeb_056_r1.gif)
I totally look like Mel Gibson, don’t I?
ore tte meru gibuson ni nitenē
![](/files/03/94/07/f039407/public/matt_9781569750674_oeb_057_r1.gif)