Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "いらっしゃいませ", "おかえりなさい", "迎える", "歓迎"
All represent the core concept "welcome", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
いらっしゃいませ
いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
おかえりなさい
おかえりなさい (okaerinasai)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
迎える
むかえる (mukaeru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
歓迎
かんげい (kangei)
N3 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "welcome" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "いらっしゃいませ", "おかえりなさい", "迎える", "歓迎" based on context.
- いらっしゃいませ (いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase) - Level: N5): Maps to "Welcome (to a store/restaurant)" and is used when 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..
- おかえりなさい (おかえりなさい (okaerinasai) - Level: N5): Maps to "Welcome home; Welcome back (response to 'tadaima')" and is used when Said by those who are home to welcome someone who has just returned.
- 迎える (むかえる (mukaeru) - Level: N4): Maps to "to welcome, to meet (someone at a place)" and is used when To go out to meet someone upon their arrival, to receive a guest, or to welcome an event/season.
- 歓迎 (かんげい (kangei) - Level: N3): Maps to "welcome" and is used when Refers to welcoming or greeting visitors, new members, or ideas warmly. Can be used with する as a verb.
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!"
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."
Context for "迎える"
空港に友達を迎えに行った。
I went to the airport to meet my friend.
Context for "歓迎"
新入留学生を歓迎するために、パーティーを開きました。
We held a party to welcome the new international students.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "お店に入ると、店員が「 ＿＿＿ ！」と言いました。" (Meaning: "When I entered the shop, the clerk said, "Welcome!"")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "いらっしゃいませ" is correct here because it represents "Welcome (to a store/restaurant)" in the context: "When I entered the shop, the clerk said, "Welcome!"".