Polite to Colleague
Cultural · Greeting
ささやかではございますが、新天地でのご活躍を願って、皆で餞別をご用意しました。 — It's just a small gesture, but we've prepared a farewell gift, wishing you success in your new place. (Cultural · Greeting, Polite to Colleague, JLPT N3)
You
ささやかではございますが、新天地でのご活躍を願って、皆で餞別をご用意しました。
ささやかではございますが、しんてんちでのごかつやくをねがって、みんなでせんべつをごよういしました。
It's just a small gesture, but we've prepared a farewell gift, wishing you success in your new place.
Romaji: Sasayaka de wa gozaimasu ga, shintenchi de no gokatsuyaku wo negatte, minna de senbetsu wo goyoui shimashita. / Reply Romaji: Mah, gowazawaza arigatou gozaimasu. Daiji ni tsukawasete itadakimasu.
Reply
まあ、ご丁寧にありがとうございます。大事に使わせていただきます。
まあ、ごていねいにありがとうございます。だいじにつかわせていただきます。
Oh, thank you for your thoughtfulness. I'll use it well.
Gesture & etiquette
Hand the senbetsu envelope with both hands, mizuhiki facing recipient. Bow 30 degrees. Often done at the leaving employee's last day morning meeting or farewell gathering. If giving cash, use new bills, place in 紅白蝶結び (red-white butterfly knot) envelope.
「餞別」 (senbetsu) is a farewell gift, often cash, given when a colleague transfers, retires, or moves. 「ささやかではございますが」 is the standard humble framing. Group senbetsu is gathered into a special envelope (餞別袋, with red-and-white mizuhiki). Individual gifts also work—practical items, sweets, books. Amount: 3,000-10,000 yen per person depending on closeness.