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
おかえりなさい
おかえりなさい (okaerinasai)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "welcome" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between むかえる and おかえりなさい.
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, おかえりなさい (おかえりなさい (okaerinasai)) maps to "Welcome home; Welcome back (response to 'tadaima')" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Said by those who are home to welcome someone who has just returned. 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 "おかえりなさい"
私が「ただいま」と言うと、母は「おかえりなさい」と言いました。
When I said "Tadaima," my mother said "Okaerinasai."
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.". "おかえりなさい" represents "Welcome home; Welcome back (response to 'tadaima')".