うちへようこそ
uchi e yōkoso
The English phrase "welcome to my home" is translated into Japanese as うちへようこそ (uchi e yōkoso).
The phrase is used to welcome a guest who has just arrived at the speaker's house. While うちへようこそ is a direct translation of the English concept, a native speaker is much more likely to use いらっしゃい when a guest actually arrives at the door.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of うち, which means home, house or one's own circle. The term uchi implies a sense of one's private, inner circle.
Which one should you use?
If you wish to sound more formal or poetic, as seen in literature or very polite settings, you might use 我が家へようこそ instead.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal or poetic tone, use 我が家へようこそ. In a more informal or colloquial setting, such as when a guest is arriving at your door, it is more natural to say いらっしゃい.
How do you pronounce it?
uchi e yōkoso
Did you know?
- If you use the polite phrase いらっしゃいませ to welcome someone into your home, you will sound like a shopkeeper treating your friend as a customer.
- The word うち can extend far beyond your physical house to mean your school or your company. In Japanese, these institutions are often spoken of as if they are a single, private family unit.
- The concept of うち is part of a strict cultural divide between うち (inside/my circle) and そと (outside/others), which dictates which grammar and politeness levels a speaker must use.
Examples in context
- おいでくださいまして、ありがとうございます！なにかお飲み物でもいかがですか？Thank you for coming! Would you like something to drink?
- うちへようこそ。Uchi e yōkoso.Welcome to my home.
- やっと来たね。うちへようこそ。Yatto kita ne. Uchi e yōkoso.You finally arrived. Welcome to my home.
Example conversation
Kenta welcomes Himari to his apartment for the first time.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さん、うちへようこそ。Himari-san, uchi e yōkoso.Himari, welcome to my home.
- 陽葵 Himariお邪魔します、健太君。Ojama shimasu, Kenta-kun.Thank you for having me, Kenta.
- 健太 Kenta中に入って、座って。Naka ni haitte, suwatte.Come inside and sit down.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう、とても綺麗な部屋だね。Arigatō, totemo kirei na heya da ne.Thank you, it is a very beautiful room.
