Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "むかえる", "いらっしゃいませ", "おかえりなさい", "お帰り"
All represent the core concept "welcome", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
むかえる
むかえる (mukaeru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
いらっしゃいませ
いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
おかえりなさい
おかえりなさい (okaerinasai)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
お帰り
おかえり (okaeri)
N3 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "welcome" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "むかえる", "いらっしゃいませ", "おかえりなさい", "お帰り" based on context.
- むかえる (むかえる (mukaeru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to welcome; to meet; to pick up (a person)" and is used when Used when meeting someone at a designated place, often to bring them somewhere else, or to welcome a new event/year..
- 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.
- お帰り (おかえり (okaeri) - Level: N3): Maps to "Welcome home; Welcome back (used when someone returns)" and is used when A common greeting said to someone who has returned home or to a place they belong. Usually used in the phrase 「おかえりなさい」.
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.
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 "お帰り"
「ただいま！」「お帰り！」
"I'm home!" "Welcome home!"
Synonym Mastery Challenge
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" is correct here because it represents "to welcome; to meet; to pick up (a person)" in the context: "I'm going to the airport to pick up my friend.".