ようこそ
yōkosogreeting
In hiragana, "welcome" is ようこそ (yōkoso), said to guests arriving at a place or an event. It is also called いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase) and どういたしまして (dō itashimashite).
Meaning: a welcome (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ようこそ | yōkoso | greeting |
| いらっしゃいませ | irasshaimase | greeting, shops |
| どういたしまして | dō itashimashite | you're welcome |
Add the place: にほんへようこそ (Nihon e yōkoso) means welcome to Japan. In shops and restaurants staff greet every customer with いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase) instead.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use ようこそ to answer a thank-you. "You're welcome" in that sense is どういたしまして (dō itashimashite).
Did you know?
- Staff in Japanese shops call out いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase) to every customer, and you do not need to reply.
Examples in context
- にほんへようこそ。Nihon e yōkoso.Welcome to Japan.
- ようこそいらっしゃいました。Yōkoso irasshaimashita.Welcome, thank you for coming.
- いらっしゃいませ、なんめいさまですか。Irasshaimase, nanmei-sama desu ka.Welcome, how many people?
Example conversation
Mr. Hara greets a visitor named Lucy at the entrance of his ryokan in Hakone.
- Mr. Haraようこそ、はこねへ。Yōkoso, Hakone e.Welcome to Hakone.
- Lucyありがとうございます。Arigatō gozaimasu.Thank you.
- Mr. Haraどうぞ、おあがりください。Dōzo, oagari kudasai.Please, come in.
