Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Welcome" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "welcome", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
むかえる
むかえる (mukaeru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
いらっしゃいませ
いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "welcome" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between むかえる and いらっしゃいませ.
In Japanese, むかえる (むかえる (mukaeru)) is typically associated with "to welcome; to meet; to pick up (a person)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used when meeting someone at a designated place, often to bring them somewhere else, or to welcome a new event/year..
On the other hand, いらっしゃいませ (いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase)) maps to "Welcome (to a store/restaurant)" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents A formal and polite welcome greeting used by shop staff, restaurant employees, or hosts to customers entering their establishment. It's not typically used between friends or in informal settings.. A literal translation of "welcome" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "むかえる"
空港まで友達を迎えに行きます。
I'm going to the airport to pick up my friend.
Bilingual Context for "いらっしゃいませ"
お店に入ると、店員が「いらっしゃいませ！」と言いました。
When I entered the shop, the clerk said, "Welcome!"
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "空港まで友達を迎えに行きます。" (Meaning: "I'm going to the airport to pick up my friend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "むかえる" fits here because it means "to welcome; to meet; to pick up (a person)" in the context of: "I'm going to the airport to pick up my friend.". "いらっしゃいませ" represents "Welcome (to a store/restaurant)".