How to Say ‘Welcome.’ in Japanese
いらっしゃいませ。
irasshai mase
[ee-rahs-shy mah-seh]
💬 Usage Tip: [いらっしゃいませ] is the standard greeting for customers. Unlike English [Welcome], it does not require a reply, though a smile or nod is fine.
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is one of the most iconic phrases in Japan. In hotels and travel businesses, it sets a polite, professional tone from the first second.
Phrase Breakdown
いらっしゃい
irasshai
[ee-rahs-shy]
welcome
A polite expression used to welcome a customer when they arrive at a shop, hotel, or travel counter.
受付でお客様に「いらっしゃい」とあいさつします。
At the reception desk, we greet customers by saying, "Welcome."
ませ
mase
[mah-seh]
please do
A polite ending added to make a respectful invitation or greeting, often heard in service settings.
お店では「いらっしゃいませ」の「ませ」を使います。
In shops, they use "ませ" in "いらっしゃいませ."
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