Saying Goodbye. Discussion

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Yes, "dewa..." can be used In many cases. 

For example,

(1) A teacher says, "では、レッスンをはじめましょう！" (Alright, let's start the lesson!) 

(2) At the cafe, a friend asks "何を飲みますか？" and his friend replies "では、コーヒーにします。" (Well, I'll decided on coffee.)

One thing in common is that there is a sence of transition to some new state or idea.

 

What exactly is the DEWA ? I see it in a lot of convesations and sentences in Japanese?

Move on

Christine-san, Thank you for your comment! You're right. Sayounara doesn't necessarily mean "good-bye forever." Since you're working as an ALT at Japanese schools, you may know that kids at school say "Sayounara" at the end of each school day. Some people prefer "Ja ne" or "Ja mata" just because "Sayounra" sounds too formal to use everyday.

Sayounara is sometimes used when leaving work as well. I work as an ALT, so I am not always at the same school every day. The teachers say sayounara when I leave because they won't see me again until something has changed in my life (such as I went to another school). It's a bit odd, but it sort of gives the feeling of "goodbye until you come back" but coming back could be the next day or the next week... Sorry, probably not very helpful. Just know that if someone says sayounara to you, they don't necessarily mean to never see you again

Both are correct. But Mata ne is usually used between friends. In other words, Matane sounds more casual.

How about Ja mata or Mata ne? are they also correct?

It's so funny to hear Abayo　(あばよ) here! Yes, you're right. Abayo can be used by yakuza. I have never used it in my life; Matana(またな) sounds pretty macho, and most women don't use it.

Mata na is another common informal one, and then there's the yakuza-esque Abayo, my personal favourite.

@BAKA NEKO. No u don't need a tsu because there is a comma and that acts in the same way as it would in the English language, hence making a small stop.