Having grown up watching visuals of movies like An Evening in Paris or Love in Tokyo the places would automatically be in the bucket list of Indians! Especially the 70-80s generation!
Which is why the song Sayonara is known to many!
But ( what’s a blog without a but you see!); the word is actually not used in Japan that much!
When I actually used it (much to the chagrin of my kids especially my son who knows at least some Japanese words!) our guide said that we don’t say Sayonara!
Don’t worry! It’s not a cuss word! The reason is actually nice!
Sayonara is a serious good bye! Not used for routine!
By the way the routine bye sounds very similar to our occasional good bye; Jai Mata Di!
Read on! Don’t worry! Am traveling so can’t write long blogs!
Anyways Sayonara is considered sad and serious because it implies a final farewell, a long separation, or a parting where you may never see each other again!
The reason why the word feels so heavy is because of its Literal meaning!
It comes from sayo (“like this”) and nara (“if”), roughly translating to “if this is how it has to be,” which accepts a sad fate.
You may say that to someone you have no chance of seeing again in future!
It’s sort of a permanent goodbye or seperation!
Since Japanese culture is deep and rich and words and behaviours are very rooted in deeper meaning the word is rarely used in daily life!
Native speakers avoid using it with friends or family because it can sound cold, dramatic, or as if you are cutting ties!
It is mostly used by children and teachers at school or in formal settings, rather than casual daily goodbyes!
What People Say Instead!? I felt words are very similar to what we hear in india!
The words used are Mata ne which means “See you later” which is used with friends!
Or you can use Jaane which is a simple and casual “Bye-bye” or “See ya”!
And finally Ja mata! (Like our Jai Mata di!) which means “Well then, until next time”
So no Sayonara! Just Ja mata!
That’s philosophical! Which reminds me of Dhanpat Rai Srivastava! The legend!
You may know him as Munshi Premchand…
A quick travel sketch and blog!
Shubh ratri….
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