いらっしゃいませ
irasshaimase[iɾa̠ɕːa̠ima̠se̞]
The English phrase "welcome to our store" is translated into Japanese as いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase).
This phrase is a greeting used by staff to welcome customers as they enter a shop or business. When you hear this, customers are not expected to respond to the greeting. It is common to simply continue your shopping or give a slight nod.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, いらっしゃいませ means "please come". It is the polite imperative form of the verb irassharu, which means "to come", "to go" or "to be".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
いらっしゃいませ is a highly formal, set expression used exclusively by service staff to welcome customers. A more extended polite version is いらっしゃいませ！ごゆっくりお楽しみください, which is used to welcome customers and encourage them to enjoy their time.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Osaka and the surrounding Kansai region, the variation おいでやす is used.
How do you pronounce it?
irasshaimase
Did you know?
- The phrase いらっしゃいませ is closely related to the Korean greeting 어서 오세요, which also translates literally as 'quickly come' in an honorific form.
- In many Japanese shops, you might hear the staff shout いらっしゃいませ in a rhythmic, almost sing-song chant to create a lively atmosphere.
- The phrase is actually a polite command. Grammatically, the suffix ませ turns the high-level honorific verb into an imperative, meaning the staff is technically telling you to 'please come' or 'do come'.
Examples in context
- ようこそ、当店へ！Welcome to our store!
- いらっしゃい！色々見てくださいね。Welcome! Please take a look around.
- 明るい声で「いらっしゃいませ」と言う。Akarui koe de "irasshaimase" to iu.Say "welcome" in a bright voice.
Example conversation
Haruto enters a small boutique where Himari works.
- 陽葵 Himariいらっしゃいませ！Irasshaimase!Welcome!
- 大翔 Hirotoこんにちは、陽葵さん。Konnichiwa, Himari-san.Hello, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himariあ、大翔さん！A, Hiroto-san!Oh, Hiroto!
- 大翔 Hirotoちょっと寄っただけだよ。Chotto yotta dake da yo.I just dropped by for a bit.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry いらっしゃいませ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries いらっしゃいませ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
