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.
いらっしゃい！どうぞ上がって。
Welcome! Please come in.
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.
遠いところをよく来てくれたね。
Thanks for coming all this way.
To say that an action, event, or thing is gladly received or desired.
Pattern meaning '~ is very welcome.' Used for offers, help, suggestions, etc.
ご意見は大歓迎です。
Your opinions are very welcome.
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.
友達が来た時は「いらっしゃい」と言います。
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.
東京へようこそ！
Welcome to Tokyo!
Polite greeting used by staff in shops, restaurants, hotels, etc. Not used when welcoming someone to your home.
いらっしゃいませ！何名様ですか？
Welcome! How many people?
ようこそ日本へ！
Welcome to Japan!
Very polite expression for thanking someone for visiting. Used in formal situations or business.
本日はお越しいただきありがとうございます。
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.
新入社員を歓迎する会
A party to welcome new employees
Means 'I appreciate ~' or '~ is welcome.' Conveys gratitude for something helpful.
お手伝いはありがたいです。
Your help is welcome (I appreciate it).
Used when accepting an offer or invitation, meaning 'gladly' or 'with pleasure.' Implies the thing is welcome.
「手伝おうか？」「喜んで！」
"Shall I help?" "Yes, please! (lit. gladly)"
Standard polite response to 'thank you.' Can sound a bit formal or stiff in casual situations.
「ありがとうございます。」「どういたしまして。」
"Thank you." "You're welcome."
Casual, humble way to say 'not at all' or 'no problem.' Very common in daily conversation.
「ありがとう！」「いえいえ。」
"Thanks!" "No problem."
Stronger humble expression meaning 'Don't mention it' or 'It was nothing.' Polite.
「本当に助かりました。」「とんでもないです。」
"You really helped me." "Don't mention it."
家に帰ってきた家族に「ようこそ」とは言いません。
You wouldn't say 'youkoso' to a family member coming home.
Any advice would be welcome.