How to say "hospitality" in Japanese

Choosing the right word
  • nounThe neutral word for hospitality as the act of receiving and attending to guests — welcoming them and treating them well; identical in sense to おもてなし, which simply adds the honorific prefix.
    Captain Cook thanked the natives for their hospitality.
  • 優遇ゆうぐうCommon
    suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveChiefly 'favorable treatment' — treating someone generously or advantageously — and seldom the word for the guest-welcoming sense; read its 'hospitality' gloss as a warm reception expressed through such treatment.
  • 優待ゆうたいCommon
    noun, suru verb, transitive verbChiefly 'preferential treatment': special consideration or advantages extended to particular people, so it is seldom the word for looking after guests; its 'cordial welcome' gloss is such privileged treatment warmly delivered.
  • nounHospitality as the considerate, wholehearted care of guests — anticipating their needs and attending to them warmly; the honorific-prefixed form of もてなし, closely associated with Japanese-style guest hospitality.
    親切しんせつなおもてなしありがとうございます。↗
    Thank you for your kind hospitality.
  • 歓待かんたいCommon
    noun, suru verb, transitive verbEmphasizes the warm, friendly side of receiving guests: a hearty welcome and entertaining them well. For the broader sense of looking after guests, もてなし or おもてなし is the safer choice.

For hospitality as the care and entertainment of guests use 「もてなし」 or 「おもてなし」; for treating people advantageously choose 優遇 or 優待; 歓待 stresses a warm, friendly welcome.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

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