How to Say ‘Welcome.’ in Japanese
いらっしゃいませ。
irasshai mase
[ee-rah-shai mah-seh]
💬 Usage Tip: [いらっしゃいませ] is a very polite set phrase used by staff to welcome customers. You do not need to reply, but a small smile or nod is perfect.
🇯🇵 In Japan: You will hear [いらっしゃいませ] a lot in Japan—shops, cafés, museums, and department stores. It is friendly service language, not a cue for a full conversation.
Phrase Breakdown
いらっしゃい
irasshai
[ee-rah-shai]
welcome
A polite expression staff use to welcome customers or visitors when they enter.
おみせにはいると、てんいんが「いらっしゃい」といいました。
When I entered the shop, the staff member said, “Welcome.”
ませ
mase
[mah-seh]
polite imperative ending
A very polite ending added to make a respectful welcome phrase like いらっしゃいませ.
ていねいにいうとき、「ませ」をつかうことがあります。
When speaking politely, people sometimes use “ませ.”
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