synonym Comparative
おかえりなさい
VS
返事
Differences Between "おかえりなさい" and "返事"
Option A
おかえりなさい
Meaning
Welcome home; Welcome back (response to 'tadaima')
Reading
おかえりなさい (okaerinasai)
Syllabus Level
N5
Practical Example
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."
Option B
返事
Meaning
reply; answer; response; acknowledgment
Reading
へんじ (henji)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
重要な取引先から提案された共同プロジェクトの契約案件について、私たちは早急に検討し、来週末までに_______をする必要があります。
Regarding the joint project contract case proposed by an important business partner, we need to study it quickly and give a reply by the end of next week.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(Welcome home; Welcome back (response to 'tadaima'))"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- おかえりなさい: Said by those who are home to welcome someone who has just returned (responding to 'tadaima'). Often shortened to 「おかえり」.
- 返事: Refers to responding to a call, replying to a question/letter, or giving a formal answer to a proposal. Often used as 返事をする or 返事をもらう. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Reply! "Haruka-san, when will you give me a reply to my confession?" ...っ! W-We are already holding hands and going on dates, isn't that the obvious reply?! B-Baka! Don't make me say such embarrassing words out loud! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『へんじ（返事）よ！『ハルカ部長、僕の愛の告白に対する正式な返事を、そろそろいただけますか？』って…っ！もう毎日隣にいて手を繋いでデートしてるのが、世界一甘い「返事」でしょ！バカ！言葉にしなきゃ分からないなんて、本当に罪な男ね！…でも、そんなに言葉が欲しいなら、耳元で愛してるって囁いてあげるわ！』
- おかえりなさい: Said by those who are home to welcome someone who has just returned (responding to 'tadaima'). Often shortened to 「おかえり」.
- 返事: Refers to responding to a call, replying to a question/letter, or giving a formal answer to a proposal. Often used as 返事をする or 返事をもらう. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Reply! "Haruka-san, when will you give me a reply to my confession?" ...っ! W-We are already holding hands and going on dates, isn't that the obvious reply?! B-Baka! Don't make me say such embarrassing words out loud! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『へんじ（返事）よ！『ハルカ部長、僕の愛の告白に対する正式な返事を、そろそろいただけますか？』って…っ！もう毎日隣にいて手を繋いでデートしてるのが、世界一甘い「返事」でしょ！バカ！言葉にしなきゃ分からないなんて、本当に罪な男ね！…でも、そんなに言葉が欲しいなら、耳元で愛してるって囁いてあげるわ！』
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