JLPT N5
Take care / See you when you get back
Japanese
いってらっしゃい
Itterasshai
Lesson & Usage
- [English equivalent: "Have a good day," "Take care," or "See you when you get back."] Said to someone who is leaving their home or office for a short time. It is the standard response to "Ittekimasu" (I'm going). It functions as a small daily prayer for the person's safe return to the group.
Culture & Etiquette
- This phrase is a combination of "Ite" (Go) and "Rasshai" (an old polite form of "Come/Return"). It literally means "Please go, and then please come back." In ancient times, travel was dangerous due to poor roads and bandits. This greeting became a small daily prayer or blessing for the person to return home safely to their family or team.
