witaj w domu
The English phrase "welcome home" is translated into Polish as witaj w domu.
Meaning: welcome home (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative witaj (welcome/greet), the preposition w (in) and domu (home/house).
Which one should you use?
While witaj w domu is used for one person, witajcie w domu is the correct form to use when welcoming two or more people home.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Witaj w domu uses the singular imperative, making it appropriate for friends, family or children. For a more polite and respectful way to say "welcome home", you can use Witamy w domu!
How does it change in a sentence?
The word domu is the locative case of dom, required by the preposition w to indicate being inside a place.
Did you know?
- The letter w in Polish has a deep history, evolving from Proto-Indo-European roots that also gave rise to the English word 'end' via the root for 'inside' or 'within'.
- While witaj w domu is used for homecomings, a person arriving at a hotel or a shop would more likely be greeted with witamy, regardless of whether the speaker is alone or in a group.
- The word domostwo serves as a more archaic or formal alternative to dom when referring to a household or a dwelling.
Examples in context
- Witaj w domu, braciszku!Welcome home, little brother!This sentence is useful for welcoming a little brother using witaj w domu.Tatoeba #705332 by zipangu, translation #705269 by Zifre
- Witaj w domu!Welcome home!This sentence is useful for a general exclamation of witaj w domu.Tatoeba #5326041 by machmet, translation #2565998 by Hybrid
- Witaj w domu.Welcome home.This sentence is useful for a simple statement of witaj w domu.Tatoeba #10565666 by tokzyk, translation #64693 by Scott
Example conversation
Małgorzata returns from a long trip and Paweł greets her at the door.
- PawełWitaj w domu, Małgorzato!Welcome home, Małgorzata!
- MałgorzataDziękuję, bardzo tęskniłam.Thank you, I missed you a lot.
- PawełCieszę się, że już jesteś.I am glad you are already here.
- MałgorzataJa też się cieszę.I am glad too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries w, witaj, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
