Welcome in Japanese

How to say "Welcome" in Japanese

There are a few ways to welcome someone in Japanese, but the most common or generic phrase you will hear is ようこそ (yōkoso) "welcome."

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ようこそ
ようこそ
yōkoso
welcome
いらっしゃいませ
いらっしゃいませ
irasshaimase
welcome (to customers)
Informally, you might hear どうぞ (dōzo) as a kind of welcome or invitation. Generally it is used when permission is given.
どうぞ
どうぞ
dōzo
here you are / please / by all means
どうぞ、召し上がってみてください。
どうぞ、 めしあがって みて ください。
Dōzo, meshiagatte mite kudasai.
Please, try and eat it.
はい、どうぞ。
はい、 どうぞ。
Hai, dōzo.
Yes, please. / (You are) welcome to.
If you want to welcome someone back (normally at home), it's common to use the phrase おかえりなさい (okaerinasai).
お帰りなさい
おかえりなさい
okaerinasai
welcome back / welcome home

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How to say "You're Welcome" in Japanese

If you want to say "you're welcome" in reply to someone saying thanks, you can use the phrase どういたしまして (dōitashimashite) "you are welcome" or just a casual いいえ (īe) "not at all" will do.

どういたしまして
どういたしまして
dōitashimashite
you are welcome / don't mention it
いいえ
いいえ
īe
no / don't mention it / not at all

If you want more lessons on Japanese salutations then I recommend that you check out the following:

じゃあ また! (Jā mata!) "See you later!"

Sayaka Matsuura: Rocket Japanese

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