Japanese word

迎える

Pronunciation

Romajimukaeru

Meaning

  • verbwelcome

Example

笑顔でお客さんを迎えます。e gao de o kyaku sa n o muka e ma su

I welcome guests with a smile.

Illustration for 迎える (welcome)

More examples

教室で転校生を迎えます。kyō shitsu de ten kō sei o muka e ma su

I welcome the new student in the classroom.

母は駅で友達を迎えました。haha wa eki de tomo dachi o muka e ma shi ta

My mother went to meet her friend at the station.

Core concept

Describes being ready for someone or something as it arrives, whether by going out to meet it or accepting it.

Common phrases

  • 客を迎えるkyaku o muka e ru

    welcome guests

  • 笑顔で迎えるe gao de muka e ru

    welcome with a smile

  • 駅で迎えるeki de muka e ru

    meet at the station

Similar words

出迎えるdemukaeru: To go to meet someone who is arriving and receive them.
歓迎するkangeisuru: To show that a person or group is gladly received.
迎え入れるmukaeireru: To receive someone into a place, group, or role.

Definition in Japanese

来る人のもとへ行ったり、来た人を受け入れたりする。kita ru hito no mo to e i tta ri ki ta hito o u ke i re ta ri su ru

Word origin

迎える (mukaeru) is a native Japanese verb descended from the classical form 迎ふ (mukafu), meaning to go toward someone who is coming.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 新年を迎える (shinnen o mukaeru) means to enter a new year, so 迎える (mukaeru) also applies to an important time rather than only to a person.

Other meanings

  • greetverb
  • go out to meet ___verb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word