ごきげんよう

gokigen'yō
interjectionIntermediate
formal

A polite and formal way to say goodbye, often used when parting from someone you respect or in professional settings.

今日もお世話になりました。ごきげんよう。

Thank you for your help today. Goodbye.

お客様、ごきげんよう。

Goodbye, customer.

💡

This phrase is more formal than 'さようなら' (sayōnara) and is commonly used in business or formal contexts.

Collocations

ごきげんようgoodbye

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

ごきげんようphrase
goodbye (formal)

💡Pro Tip

Formality

Use 'ごきげんよう' in formal settings like work or with elders, while 'さようなら' is more casual.

Gold Rule

Politeness

Always use 'ごきげんよう' when parting from someone you respect or in professional contexts.

📖Word Origin

Derived from 'ご機嫌' (gokigen, meaning 'good mood') + 'よう' (yō, a polite suffix for parting).

📝Usage Notes

Used when leaving someone, especially in formal or professional situations. It conveys respect and politeness.

Word Breakdown

ご機嫌
good mood
root
+
よう
polite parting suffix
suffix
和英辞典