Translation guide
How to welcome someone in Japanese, including greetings, receiving guests, and expressing that someone or something is welcome.
To say 'welcome' when someone arrives at a place.
Common casual greeting when someone enters your home or a shop. Used by the person welcoming.
Welcome! Please come in.
Polite greeting used by staff in shops, restaurants, hotels, etc. Not used when welcoming someone to your home.
Used for welcoming someone to a place, event, or group, often in speeches or written signs. More formal than いらっしゃい.
To welcome someone into your home or office as a host.
Casual, warm expression meaning 'Thanks for coming' or 'I'm glad you came.' Used among friends and family.
To say that an action, event, or thing is gladly received or desired.
Pattern meaning '~ is very welcome.' Used for offers, help, suggestions, etc.
To respond to 'thank you' with 'you're welcome.'
いらっしゃいませ is only used in commercial settings. Using it when welcoming someone to your home would sound strange and overly formal.
When a friend comes over, you say 'irasshai.'
いらっしゃい is a casual, everyday greeting for someone arriving. ようこそ is more formal and often used for welcoming someone to a larger place (country, company, event) or in speeches.
Welcome to Tokyo!
Welcome! How many people?
ようこそ日本へ！
Welcome to Japan!
Thanks for coming all this way.
Very polite expression for thanking someone for visiting. Used in formal situations or business.
Thank you for coming today.
Literally 'to welcome.' Used in formal contexts like welcoming a new member or guest of honor. Not used as a direct greeting.
A party to welcome new employees
Your opinions are very welcome.
Means 'I appreciate ~' or '~ is welcome.' Conveys gratitude for something helpful.
Your help is welcome (I appreciate it).
Used when accepting an offer or invitation, meaning 'gladly' or 'with pleasure.' Implies the thing is welcome.
"Shall I help?" "Yes, please! (lit. gladly)"
Standard polite response to 'thank you.' Can sound a bit formal or stiff in casual situations.
"Thank you." "You're welcome."
Casual, humble way to say 'not at all' or 'no problem.' Very common in daily conversation.
"Thanks!" "No problem."
Stronger humble expression meaning 'Don't mention it' or 'It was nothing.' Polite.
"You really helped me." "Don't mention it."
You wouldn't say 'youkoso' to a family member coming home.
Thank you for the warm welcome.
Formal expression of gratitude for being welcomed.
Any advice would be welcome.