おわかれ
owakare
Farewell/Parting
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite way to describe the act of parting or saying goodbye in significant moments.
- Means: The act of parting or a formal farewell ceremony.
- Used in: Graduations, funerals, or moving away from friends.
- Don't confuse: With 'Sayonara', which is a direct greeting to a person.
Explanation at your level:
Signification
The act of saying goodbye or a parting event.
Contexte culturel
The 'Season of Parting' (wakare no kisetsu) is March. This is when school years end and company transfers happen. It is a time of mixed emotions, often celebrated with 'owakare-kai' (farewell parties). When leaving a company, it is customary to give a formal 'owakare no aisatsu' (farewell greeting) to each department. This ensures that the 'wa' (harmony) is maintained even after departure. The term 'owakare-shiki' is sometimes used for a non-religious memorial service where friends and family can say their final goodbyes without traditional Buddhist rites. Classical literature often uses the imagery of 'wakare' at dawn (ariake no wakare). Lovers would part as the sun rose, a theme that has influenced modern J-Pop lyrics.
Use it for pets too
When a pet passes away, Japanese people often use 'owakare' to describe the final goodbye, showing the deep bond.
Don't over-use 'o'
In very casual settings, just 'wakare' is fine, but 'owakare' is safer for learners to avoid sounding blunt.
Signification
The act of saying goodbye or a parting event.
Use it for pets too
When a pet passes away, Japanese people often use 'owakare' to describe the final goodbye, showing the deep bond.
Don't over-use 'o'
In very casual settings, just 'wakare' is fine, but 'owakare' is safer for learners to avoid sounding blunt.
The 'Sayonara' nuance
Remember that 'Sayonara' can sound like you'll never meet again. 'Owakare' is more about the act of parting than the duration of the absence.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'owakare'.
そろそろ（ ）の時間です。
The polite noun form 'owakare' is used before 'no jikan' (time of...).
Which situation is most appropriate for 'owakare'?
When would you use 'owakare'?
'Owakare' is used for significant partings like graduations.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {明日|あした}、アメリカに{帰|かえ}ります。 B: そうですか。（ ）は{寂|さび}しいですね。
The context is someone leaving for another country, making 'owakare' the natural choice.
Match the phrase to the context.
Match '{最後|さいご}のお{別|わか}れ' to the correct setting.
'Saigo no owakare' (The final goodbye) is a standard term for funerals.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use Owakare
Life Events
- • Graduation
- • Retirement
- • Moving
Relationships
- • Breakups
- • Long-distance
- • Death
Formal
- • Speeches
- • Letters
- • Ceremonies
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, you can use it for places (a town you're leaving) or even objects (an old car or house).
No, that's grammatically incorrect. You should say 'O-sewa ni narimashita' (Thank you for taking care of me) or 'Shitsurei itashimasu'.
The 'o' makes it more polite and emotional. 'Wakare' alone is more neutral or clinical.
Yes, it is a common euphemism for death in formal contexts, like 'the final goodbye'.
You can say 'owakare-kai' or the more formal 'soubetsukai'.
Yes, 'kareshi to owakare shita' is a common way to say you broke up with your boyfriend.
The basic meaning is A1, but the nuanced uses in ceremonies are more advanced.
Yes, it is written as {お別|おわか}れ.
Very often! Look for it in graduation or departure scenes.
No, that would be confusing. Use 'mata ashita' (see you tomorrow) instead.
Expressions liées
{別|わか}れる
builds onTo separate / To break up
{サヨナラ|さよなら}
similarGoodbye
{送別会|そうべつかい}
specialized formFarewell party
{再会|さいかい}
contrastReunion
{別|わか}れぎわ
similarThe moment of parting
Où l'utiliser
Graduation Day
Student: {先生|せんせい}、{今日|きょう}で{お別|おわか}れですね。
Teacher: ええ、{元気|げんき}でね。また{遊|あそ}びに{来|く}てください。
Airport Departure
Friend A: もう{行|い}かなきゃ。
Friend B: {最後|さいご}に{握手|あくしゅ}でお{別|わか}れしよう。
End of a Relationship
Person A: 私たち、もう{終|お}わりだね。
Person B: うん、これでお{別|わか}れだ。
Retirement Party
MC: {最後|さいご}に、{田中|たなか}さんからお{別|わか}れの{挨拶|あいさつ}です。
Tanaka: {皆様|みなさま}、{長|なが}い{間|あいだ}ありがとうございました。
Funeral Service
Attendant: {最後|さいご}のお{別|わか}れをなさいましたか？
Guest: はい、ゆっくりお{別|わか}れできました。
Closing of a Shop
Owner: 40{年間|ねんかん}ありがとうございました。
Customer: このお店とお{別|わか}れするのは{寂|さび}しいです。
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Oh, walk away' (O-wakare). When you say goodbye, you walk away.
Visual Association
Imagine a person standing on a train platform, waving a white handkerchief as the train slowly pulls away. The 'O' is the shape of the waving hand.
Rhyme
O-wakare, don't be sorry, it's just the end of the story.
Story
You are at a beautiful park. You meet a friend. You spend the day together. When the sun sets (the 'O' shape), you must 'walk away' (wakare). This sunset moment is your 'O-wakare'.
Word Web
Défi
Write a short 3-sentence diary entry about a time you had to say a meaningful goodbye using '{お別|おわか}れ'.
In Other Languages
Despedida
Spanish 'despedida' is also used for bachelor parties (despedida de soltero), which 'owakare' is not.
Adieu
'Adieu' is an interjection, while 'owakare' is primarily a noun.
Abschied
German uses 'Abschied nehmen' (to take leave), similar to 'owakare wo suru'.
وداع (Wada'a)
Arabic 'wada'a' can also mean 'to deposit' or 'to leave something behind'.
告別 (Gàobié)
Chinese 'gaobie' is slightly more formal and less 'soft' than the Japanese 'o-wakare'.
이별 (Ibyeol)
Korean 'ibyeol' is often used in song titles for breakups more frequently than 'owakare'.
Despedida
Portuguese 'despedida' can also refer to a resignation from a job.
Farewell
English speakers use 'goodbye' as both a noun and an interjection, whereas Japanese splits these roles.
Easily Confused
Both involve the end of a relationship.
Shitsuren is specifically 'unrequited love' or 'heartbreak', while owakare is the general act of parting.
Both involve leaving.
Shuppatsu is the physical departure (like a train), while owakare is the social act of saying goodbye.
FAQ (10)
No, you can use it for places (a town you're leaving) or even objects (an old car or house).
No, that's grammatically incorrect. You should say 'O-sewa ni narimashita' (Thank you for taking care of me) or 'Shitsurei itashimasu'.
The 'o' makes it more polite and emotional. 'Wakare' alone is more neutral or clinical.
Yes, it is a common euphemism for death in formal contexts, like 'the final goodbye'.
You can say 'owakare-kai' or the more formal 'soubetsukai'.
Yes, 'kareshi to owakare shita' is a common way to say you broke up with your boyfriend.
The basic meaning is A1, but the nuanced uses in ceremonies are more advanced.
Yes, it is written as {お別|おわか}れ.
Very often! Look for it in graduation or departure scenes.
No, that would be confusing. Use 'mata ashita' (see you tomorrow) instead.
