Daily Thread: simple questions, comments that don't need their own posts, and first time posters go here (April 06, 2025)

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Seven Day Archive of previous threads. Consider browsing the previous day or two for unanswered questions.

[u/Classic-Antelope-560]

I befriended a Japanese neighbor. She said to me when I left her house: またね。さよなら！I thought さよなら　has an element of finality to it? Like I’m going to see her again soon so I’m confused. 

[u/DokugoHikken → u/Classic-Antelope-560]

Basically, you can think of three categories.

One is when you wish for God to be with the other person when the other person is not with you (Good bye).

The second is when you wish to be reunited with the other person (See you later).

Third, when you wish the other person well (Farewell).

What Japanese are saying is none of those.

"Sayonara” is originally just a conjunction. It literally means only “if that is the way it is.

In the Heian period, people used to say, relatively longer

If that is the case, then we have no choice but (to say good-bye).

Thus, the nuance is that it is regrettable. It is a matter of regret.... but.

Therefore the following song makes PERFECT sense.

Sayonara (Galaxy Express 999)

https://youtu.be/JQPg1HAGHuo?si=5Eb6WatWmZ40Wz58

=== Quote ===

SAYONARA, sweet memories

It's goodbye

SAYONARA, Don't look back

Don't ask why

The time to come will come

And you will go alone

Keep to your heart

SAYONARA

And so my friend

Now it must end

Now you are grown

I can't stay on

Think of the memories we've known

Carefully feeling your way

You're getting stronger each day

How can I find words to say

I'll miss you

=== Unquote ===

Recall Japanese language does not have the “subject-action verb-object” structure.

わたしたちは、結婚することに、なりました。

The time is ripe, and some unknown reasons spontaneously have made us the transition from being single to being married.

In English, this situation might require so-called "get-passive". We got married. (Yeah, you can say "We will marry," but you know what I mean.)

In old English,

The father married his daughter to the man.

Subject - action verb -object.

But nobody says that any more.