How to Say ‘Welcome.’ in Japanese
いらっしゃいませ。
irasshai mase
[ee-rah-sshy-eye mah-seh]
💬 Usage Tip: [いらっしゃいませ] is a set phrase shops say to customers. You don’t need to reply—just smile or nod.
🇯🇵 In Japan: It can be loud and energetic in fast food and convenience stores; it’s more like “Welcome in!” than a personal greeting.
Phrase Breakdown
いらっしゃい
irasshai
[ee-rah-sshy-eye]
welcome (honorific greeting to customers)
A set phrase staff say to customers when they enter. You usually don’t need to reply; just proceed to order.
いらっしゃい、こちらへどうぞ。
Welcome—this way, please.
ませ
mase
[mah-seh]
(polite ending used in set phrase)
Part of the fixed expression いらっしゃいませ. It makes the greeting extra polite in customer service.
いらっしゃいませ。
Welcome.
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