Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "むかえる", "迎える", "歓迎", "お帰り", "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
迎える
むかえる (mukaeru)
N4 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
歓迎
かんげい (kangei)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
お帰り
おかえり (okaeri)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
空谷之足音
くうこくのそくおん (kuukokunosokuon)
C2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "welcome" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "むかえる", "迎える", "歓迎", "お帰り", "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..
- 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.
- 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」.
- 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 "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.
Context for "お帰り"
「ただいま！」「お帰り！」
"I'm home!" "Welcome home!"
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.".