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Saraba, Osaraba, Sayounara — Words We Use for Goodbye That Did Not Begin as Goodbye

The Japanese word saraba (さらば) is often translated as “farewell” or “goodbye.” It sounds somewhat dramatic today, appearing in historical stories, movies, and expressions such as Saraba, tomo yo—“Farewell, my friend.”

 

But surprisingly, saraba did not originally mean goodbye.

 

It comes from 然らば (saraba), which essentially meant “if that is so,” “in that case,” or “well then.” People might end a conversation by saying something like, “Well then, I shall take my leave.” Over time, the opening expression itself became associated with leaving, and saraba eventually came to mean “farewell.”

 

There is also osaraba (おさらば). Although it developed from saraba, it often carries a stronger sense of leaving something behind for good. Saying Kore de osaraba da can mean “This is goodbye,” with the feeling that the relationship or situation is finished.

 

Interestingly, sayounara (さようなら) followed a similar path. It comes from sayō naraba (左様ならば), meaning roughly “if that is the case.”

 

So these familiar Japanese expressions for goodbye did not begin as farewells at all.

 

They began with a simple thought:

 

“Well then…”