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もてなす Japanese meaning | Kotomora

もてなす

も

て

な

す

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

treat (a guest); entertain; be hospitable to

usually written using kana alone

Used for welcoming and looking after guests, visitors, or customers with warmth and care.

友とも達だちを家いえに招まねいて、手て料りょう理りでもてなした。
I invited my friend over and treated them to a home-cooked meal.

旅りょ館かんでは、お客きゃく様さまを心こころを込こめてもてなします。

At the inn, we entertain our guests with heartfelt hospitality.

Written forms

もてなすUsage100%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 持て成す is rare.
持もて成なすUsage<1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; learners should use the kana spelling.

Kanji

持hold, have
成turn into, become, get

Similar words

おもてなし
The noun form meaning 'hospitality' or 'entertainment', often used in the context of Japanese-style service.
歓かん待たいする
A more formal, somewhat literary verb meaning 'to give a warm welcome' or 'to entertain cordially'.

Etymology

Derived from the honorific prefix もて (from 持つ, 'to hold') and 成す ('to make'), literally 'to make something hold/have', which developed into the meaning of treating someone well.