我が家へようこそ
wagaya e yōkoso
In Japanese, "welcome to our house" is expressed as 我が家へようこそ (wagaya e yōkoso).
This phrase is a greeting used to welcome guests who have just arrived at the speaker's home.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression is composed of the particle へ, which indicates the direction of movement toward a destination (to/towards) and ようこそ, an adverbial expression used to express a warm welcome.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For informal situations, you can use いらっしゃい、ウチへ or ウチへようこそ.
How do you pronounce it?
wagaya e yōkoso
Did you know?
- While ようこそ welcomes a guest, a host greets a returning family member with おかえり. Using ようこそ for a spouse or child would make them sound like a complete stranger.
- The word ウチ used in informal greetings can refer to more than a building. It can represent a family, a company or a social circle, meaning the phrase also welcomes someone into an 'inner circle'.
- In traditional homes, the official welcome happens only after the guest has removed their shoes in the げんかん. Entering the main living space without doing so is a serious breach of social rules.
Examples in context
- お客様、ようこそ、私たちの家へ。お入りください。Welcome, guest, to our house. Please, come in.
- 友達、いらっしゃい、ウチへ！Hey friend, welcome! Come to my place!
- 我が家へようこそ。Wagaya e yokoso.Welcome to our house.
- 皆、我が家へようこそ！Minna, wagaya e yokoso!Everyone, welcome to our house!
Example conversation
Yui opens the door for Daisho at her home.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くん、我が家へようこそ！Daisho-kun, wagaya e yōkoso!Daisho, welcome to our house!
- 大翔 Hirotoお邪魔します。Ojamashimasu.Thank you for having me.
- 結衣 Yuiどうぞ、中に入って。Dōzo, naka ni haitte.Please, come inside.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとうございます。Arigatō gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
