Meaning and Usage
"送別" (そうべつ) refers to the act of bidding farewell or sending someone off, often used in contexts like farewells at work, school, or social gatherings. It is a formal noun commonly paired with events such as "送別会" (farewell party).
Common Contexts
You will often hear "送別" in situations involving colleagues leaving a company, friends moving away, or students graduating. It conveys a sense of respect and good wishes for the person departing.
Collocations and Patterns
- 送別会 (そうべつかい): farewell party, a common event to honor someone leaving.
- 送別の言葉 (そうべつのことば): farewell words or speech, often given during a send-off.
- 送別する: to see someone off or bid farewell.
Register and Nuance
"送別" is polite and somewhat formal, suitable for workplace or formal social settings. It is less casual than simply saying "さようなら" or "バイバイ".
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "送別" with "別れ" (わかれ), which means separation or parting but is more general and can be less formal. Use "送別" specifically when referring to the act of formally sending someone off.