Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "むかえる", "いらっしゃいませ", "おかえりなさい", "空谷之足音"
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
空谷之足音
くうこくのそくおん (kuukokunosokuon)
C2 / 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", "空谷之足音" 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.
- 空谷之足音 (くうこくのそくおん (kuukokunosokuon) - Level: C2): Maps to "Welcome news or a long-awaited visitor" and is used when Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus..
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 "空谷之足音"
私は空谷之足音に興味があります。
I am interested in Welcome news or a long-awaited visitor.
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.".