Japanese word

いらっしゃい

Pronunciation

Romajiirasshai

Meaning

interjectionwelcome

Example

お客さんが来ると、母は「いらっしゃい」と言います。o kyaku sa n ga ku ru to haha wa i ra ssha i to i i ma su

When guests arrive, Mom says, "Welcome!"

More examples

店員は笑顔で「いらっしゃいませ」と客を迎えました。ten in wa e gao de i ra ssha i ma se to kyaku o muka e ma shi ta

The clerk greeted the customer with a smile and said, "Welcome."

Core concept

Signals that someone has arrived and is welcome to enter or stay in the speaker's space.

Common phrases

いらっしゃいませi ra ssha i ma se
welcome

Similar words

ようこそyōkoso: A greeting that welcomes someone to a place, often in a formal or public setting.
いらっしゃいませirasshaimase: A polite greeting used by a shop or restaurant worker for a customer who enters.

Definition in Japanese

人が来たときに、歓迎して中へ入るよう促すあいさつの言葉。hito ga ki ta to ki ni kan gei shi te naka e hai ru yō unaga su a i sa tsu no koto ba

Word origin

いらっしゃる (irassharu, "to come, go, or be") is an honorific verb, and its imperative form いらっしゃい (irasshai) developed into a welcoming call.

Usage tips

In family conversation, いらっしゃい (irasshai, "welcome") can greet someone arriving at the home, whereas stores usually use いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase, "welcome").

Other meanings

come ininterjection