When one starts out learning Japanese, they're always taught to use the phrase
“さようなら” to mean “goodbye.” However, it's now known that it's not **that**
commonly used as people regard it as a kind of “final” goodbye, similar to the
phrase _Adieu_.

And informally, “じゃあ、また” or “またね” are the most common phrases used.

But when one meets a stranger in the streets, for example, how would they say
“goodbye” to them?
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usage
How does one say “bye” to a stranger they just met?
さようなら would be perfectly appropriate for that situation, since it is likely
you will never see them again.

Another possibility is お元気で when you think you won't see someone for some
time. It's a little more formal, and it is often used with people you already
know and have some kind of relationship with. But I think it could be used
with someone you don't know well too, depending on what the nature of the
(brief) relationship was.
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2018-11-01T20:43:51.167
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If there's a chance of meeting them again, では、また is another option. では is a
formal version of じゃあ.
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> When one meets a stranger in the streets, how would they say “goodbye” to
> them?

I can't think of a situation where you'd say goodbye to a total stranger
you've just met... and what phrase you'd say when parting with them would
depend on what conversation you've just had... for example:

> A: すいません、この近くに郵便局はありますか。  
>  B: 郵便局なら、そこをまっすぐ行って、右にあります。  
>  A: ああ、そうですか。ありがとうございます。  
>  B: いえいえ。

> A (駅の階段などで): 重そうですね。持ちましょうか。  
>  B: あ、すいません、ありがとうございます。  
>  A: いえいえ。  
>  B: ありがとうございました、助かりました。  
>  A: いえいえ。お気をつけて。
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2018-11-02T01:55:51.097
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I think the other answers are ok but I just wanted to expand a little to try
to give you a different point of view.

> when one meets a stranger in the streets, for example, how would they say
> “goodbye” to them?

As I said in a comment, this is not very clear. It could depend a lot on how
the interaction goes on, what do you say, how old is the stranger compared to
you etc.

However, what I want to say is: **Don't assume you MUST say "goodbye" just
because your native language/culture has taught you that it is the right thing
to do.**

A very important thing when learning a new language is to "get out" the
mentality where you automatically port everything from your own culture.

Just as often "literal translation" does not work, the same is true for
cultural habits.

Therefore, to go back to your question, don't think you necessarily have to
say "goodbye", whether it is さようなら、では、じゃあ、またね, etc. Depending on the
conversation, it might be perfectly fine to just say nothing.

For example, the stranger asks you for an indication (how to go somewhere or
find some place). Then, the conversation might just end with him thanking you,
and you saying, いいえ or どういたしまして or whatever, and you both walk away. And
that's perfectly fine.
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