Japanese word

ようこそ

Pronunciation

Romajiyōkoso

Meaning

interjectionwelcome

Example

教室へようこそ。いっしょに勉強しましょう。kyō shitsu e yō ko so i ssho ni ben kyō shi ma shō

Welcome to the classroom. Let's study together.

More examples

新しい友達に、みんなでようこそと言いました。atara shi i tomo dachi ni mi n na de yō ko so to i i ma shi ta

We welcomed our new friend together.

Core concept

Expresses that someone's arrival is being warmly accepted, often when the person enters a place or joins a group.

Common phrases

学校へようこそgak kō e yō ko so
welcome to school

Similar words

いらっしゃいirasshai: A greeting used to welcome someone who has arrived, especially at a home or shop.
おかえりokaeri: A greeting for someone returning to a home or familiar place.

Definition in Japanese

来た人を歓迎して迎える気持ちを表す呼びかけ。ki ta hito o kan gei shi te muka e ru ki mo chi o arawa su yo bi ka ke

Word origin

The fixed expression ようこそ (yōkoso) comes from よくこそ (yoku koso), where よく (yoku, "well") is joined to the emphatic particle こそ (koso).

Usage tips

Unlike the English word welcome, ようこそ (yōkoso) mainly greets arrivals and is not the usual reply to thanks.