"Sayonara" is a Japanese word that means "goodbye." It is often used when parting ways for a long time or when someone is leaving permanently. The term conveys a sense of finality and is more formal than other casual farewells like "ja ne" or "mata ne." In Japanese culture, saying "sayonara" can carry emotional weight, especially in contexts such as farewells at the end of a school year or when moving away. The word has also been popularized in various forms of media, including films and songs, making it recognizable worldwide, often associated with Japanese culture and language.