How to Say ‘Welcome.’ in Japanese
いらっしゃいませ。
irasshai mase
[ee-rah-sshy-eye mah-SEH]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Staff call this out when you walk in. Customers don't answer it, so silence or a small nod is completely normal.
Phrase Breakdown
いらっしゃい
irasshai
[ee-rah-sshy-eye]
Welcome (to our store)
A polite phrase staff say to customers when they enter; you don’t need to reply.
いらっしゃい、こちらでご注文ください。
Welcome—please order here.
ませ
mase
[mah-SEH]
polite ending (in set greetings)
Polite verb ending used in fixed shop greetings like welcome.
いらっしゃいませ、どうぞ。
Welcome, please come in.
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