bienvenue à la maison
The English phrase 'welcome home' is translated into French as bienvenue à la maison.
While bienvenue acts as a greeting here, you should distinguish it from the adjective bienvenu, which is used to describe someone as being welcome or timely in a sentence.
Meaning: welcome home (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase bienvenue à la maison literally translates to 'welcome to the house'.
Which one should you use?
Bienvenue chez vous can be used to more formally say 'Welcome to your home'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this context, bienvenue is used as an interjection and remains in the feminine singular form regardless of who is being welcomed.
Did you know?
- In France, the act of welcoming someone home is often accompanied by la bise, the custom of kissing on both cheeks, rather than a hug.
- If you are in Quebec, you might occasionally hear a person use bienvenue to mean 'you are welcome' after someone says 'thank you', a usage borrowed directly from English.
Examples in context
- Bienvenue à la maison.Welcome home.The first sentence is a direct way to say 'Welcome home.'Tatoeba #333061 by sysko, translation #64693 by Scott
- « Je suis de retour. » « Bienvenue à la maison. »"I'm back." "Welcome home."The second sentence shows a typical exchange when someone says 'I'm back.' using the form bienvenue à la maison.Tatoeba #11233061 by Micsmithel, translation #329066 by fcbond
- Madame Dupont, bienvenue chez vous . Nous sommes ravis de vous revoir.Mrs. Dupont, welcome home. We are delighted to see you again.
- Bienvenue à la maison, mon amour.Welcome home, my love.
Example conversation
Nathan greets Manon after she returns from a long trip.
- NathanTu es enfin là !You are finally here!
- ManonOui, je suis tellement contente d'être rentrée.Yes, I am so happy to be back.
- NathanBienvenue à la maison, Manon.Welcome home, Manon.
- ManonMerci, Nathan, c'est gentil.Thank you, Nathan, that is kind.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bienvenue, la, maison, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
