What does it mean word for word?
The word bienvenida literally means a 'good arrival', as it is a combination of bien (well) and venida (come/arrival).
Which one should you use?
While bienvenida is the feminine singular form, other forms are used depending on who is being addressed: bienvenido is the masculine singular, bienvenidas is the feminine plural and bienvenidos is the masculine plural used for a group of men or a mixed-gender group. You may also see the inclusive variation Bienvenidos y bienvenidas used to acknowledge and address individuals of all genders.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form must agree in gender with the person being welcomed: use bienvenido for a man and bienvenida for a woman. If you are welcoming a group of only women, use the plural form bienvenidas. If you are welcoming a mixed-gender group or a group of only men, use the masculine plural bienvenidos.
How do you pronounce it?
/bjembeˈnida/
Did you know?
- To avoid the masculine default of bienvenidos, some modern writers use the symbol x or e to create bienvenid@s or bienvenides as a gender-neutral alternative.
- In some Latin American cultures, a bienvenida is often accompanied by a 'beso', a light kiss on one or both cheeks, even between new acquaintances.
- In some contexts, the word bienvenida can be used as an adjective to describe something that arrives at the perfect time, such as una lluvia bienvenida for 'a welcome rain'.
Examples in context
- ¡Bienvenida al equipo!Welcome to the team!
- Una cálida bienvenida para la nueva vecina.A warm welcome for the new neighbor.
- Ella recibió una gran bienvenida en la fiesta.She received a great welcome at the party.
Example conversation
María greets Mateo as he arrives at her office.
- MaríaHola Mateo, ¡bienvenida a la oficina!Hello Mateo, welcome to the office!
- MateoMuchas gracias, María.Thank you very much, María.
- MaríaPasa, por favor.Come in, please.
- MateoQué lugar tan bonito.What a beautiful place.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bienvenida, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
