How to say "welcome" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 迎えるむかえるichidan verb, transitive verbThe verb for the action of welcoming: going out to meet and receive a guest, visitor, or anyone who arrives. Choose this when 'welcome' is something you do to a person.
- i-adjectiveAs 'welcome' it is an adjective: something appreciated or gladly received, such as welcome help. The nuance is gratitude — the thing is welcome because it benefits you.
- 歓迎かんげいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe noun for a welcome or warm reception: giving guests a warm welcome, or a reception for visitors. Choose this when 'welcome' is a thing or event, not the act of meeting someone.
- nounThe direct loanword, used much as in English: as a spoken greeting to arriving guests, or on signs at shops and events. This is the word that most closely mirrors the English term.
- 耳よりみみよりna-adjective, nounCovers 'welcome' only for news: welcome news is information you are glad to hear. For welcoming people this is not the word you want; use 迎える or 歓迎.耳寄りな話がある。↗I've got an attractive proposition for you.
Use 「迎える」 for the act of meeting and welcoming someone who arrives, 歓迎 for a welcome or reception as a noun, 「ウェルカム」 for the loanword greeting, 「ありがたい」 when 'welcome' means appreciated, and 「耳より」 only for welcome news.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 迎えるむかえるto go out to meet
- ありがたいgrateful
- 歓迎かんげいwelcome
- ウェルカムwelcome
- 耳よりみみよりwelcome (news)
- いらっしゃいませwelcome
- ようこそwelcome
- 迎えむかえmeeting
- 喜ばしいよろこばしいjoyful (news, event, etc.)
- 奉迎ほうげいwelcome
- めんそーれwelcome
- おいでやすwelcome (in shops, etc.)
- ようおこしwelcome
- 接遇せつぐうreception
- 寄すよすto include
- 迎いむかいmeeting
- 願ってもないねがってもないbest one could ask for
- 喜ぶよろこぶto welcome (a proposal, advice, etc.)
- いらっしゃいwelcome
- おいでなさいwelcome
- どうぞby all means
- 寄せるよせるto include
See also
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