How to Say “Welcome” in Spanish

Ways to say it

The word is a greeting given upon someone's arrival. In Colombia, Bienvenido/a is the most common and simple way to say welcome. To express the specific action of welcoming someone, use the verbal phrase dar la bienvenida instead of just the adjective. If you wish to describe the act of a welcome or reception itself, use the noun bienvenida or acogida.

What does it mean word for word?

The word is a combination of bien (well) and venido (come/arrived), literally meaning "well-come".

Which one should you use?

While ¡bienvenida! is the greeting used for a female, the noun la bienvenida refers to the act of a welcome or reception.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Bogotá and Cundinamarca, people commonly use ¡Bienvenidos, parceros! to welcome friends or a group.

Related words

Act of greeting someone's arrival (noun): acogida, bienvenida.

Affirm or greet the arrival of someone (verb): dar la bienvenida.

How does it change in a sentence?

As an adjective or interjection, the word must agree in gender and number with the person or people being welcomed. ¡bienvenido! is the masculine singular form, while ¡bienvenida! is the feminine singular form. Use the plural form ¡bienvenidos! when welcoming a group of people or a mixed-gender group. If you are welcoming a group consisting only of women, use ¡bienvenidas!

When do people say it?

You can use ¡Bienvenidos, familia! to welcome close friends or people who feel like family. The phrase ¡Bienvenidos, parceros! is a common way to welcome friends or a group in certain Colombian regions.