How to Say ‘Welcome’ in Japanese
ようこそ
you koso
[yoh koh-so]
🇯🇵 In Japan: At a ward office, [ようこそ] is less common than in shops or signs, so this may sound a bit textbook-like. In real life, staff are more likely to start with a greeting or a question about your business.
Phrase Breakdown
よう
you
[yoh]
wel
This is the first part of ようこそ, a set phrase meaning "welcome."
ようこそ、こちらへどうぞ。
Welcome, this way please.
こそ
koso
[koh-so]
come / indeed
This is the second part of the fixed greeting ようこそ, used to welcome someone.
ようこそ、と笑顔で言います。
I say, "Welcome," with a smile.
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