もてなし

も

て

な

し

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun

hospitality; reception; entertainment

usually written using kana alone

Warm, welcoming treatment of guests, often involving food, drink, and attentive care.

彼かれの家いえではいつも温あたたかいもてなしを受うける。
We always receive warm hospitality at his house.

日本にほん旅りょ館かんのもてなしは本ほん当とうに素す晴ばらしい。

The hospitality at Japanese inns is truly wonderful.

2

noun

light refreshment; treat; food and drink for guests

usually written using kana alone

Specifically the food and drink offered to guests as part of hospitality; often a small treat or snack.

お客きゃく様さまにちょっとしたもてなしを用よう意いした。
I prepared a little refreshment for the guests.
会かい議ぎの後あと、軽かるいもてなしがあります。
There will be light refreshments after the meeting.

Written forms

もてなしUsage98%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 持て成し and 持てなし are rare.
持もて成なしUsage1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; not commonly used.
持もてなしUsage1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; not commonly used.

Kanji

持hold, have
成turn into, become, get

Similar words

おもてなし
Polite form of もてなし, often used in service contexts to emphasize wholehearted hospitality without expectation of reward.
歓かん待たい
More formal term for warm reception or hospitality, often used in official or written contexts.

Etymology

Derived from the verb もてなす (to entertain, to treat hospitably), which itself comes from 持つ (to hold) + 成す (to make). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has long been associated with the concept of treating guests well.