みなさん、ようこそ
minasan, yōkoso
みなさん、ようこそ (minasan, yōkoso) is the Japanese phrase for "welcome everyone".
This phrase is used as an opening greeting when a speaker addresses an audience or a group of people arriving at a venue. The word yōkoso means "welcome" and mina-san is a respectful way to address a group of people.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of minasan (everyone) and yōkoso (welcome).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the welcome much more formal and polite, you can say みなさん、ようこそいらっしゃいました. Adding irasshaimashita to the end is a pattern often used by hosts or staff at an event.
How do you pronounce it?
minasan, yōkoso
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'welcome' can be used to say 'you are welcome' after 'thank you', ようこそ cannot be used this way. To respond to thanks, Japanese speakers use entirely different phrases like どういたしまして.
- The word ようこそ is derived from an old expression meaning 'you have come in a way that is good'. It implies that the guest's arrival is a fortunate event for the host.
- When welcoming people to a home, Japanese hosts often use the phrase お上がりください 'please step up'. This is because traditional homes have a raised floor, making the physical act of entering a key part of the welcome.
Examples in context
- みなさん、ようこそ、我が家へ。Minasan, yōkoso, wagaya e.Welcome everyone to our home.
- みなさん、ようこそ、パーティーへ！Minasan, yōkoso, pātī e!Welcome everyone to the party!
- みなさん、ようこそ、日本へ。Minasan, yōkoso, Nihon e.Welcome everyone to Japan.
Example conversation
Daito is welcoming Yui and their friends to his new house.
- 大翔 Hirotoみなさん、ようこそ僕の家に！Minasan, youkoso boku no ie ni!Welcome to my house, everyone!
- 結衣 Yuiわあ、とても素敵なお家ですね。Waa, totemo suteki na ouchi desu ne.Wow, this is a very lovely home.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとうございます。どうぞ入ってください。Arigatou gozaimasu. Douzo haitte kudasai.Thank you. Please come in.
- 結衣 Yuiお邪魔します！Ojamashimasu!Thanks for having us!
