Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "むかえる", "いらっしゃいませ", "迎える", "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
迎える
むかえる (mukaeru)
N4 / 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", "迎える", "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..
- 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.
- 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 "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 "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.".