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おかえりなさい
okaerinasai
What does "おかえりなさい" mean in English?
welcome home「ただいま！」「おかえりなさい。」
"I'm home!" "Welcome home."
How to use "おかえりなさい" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
formal
Polite greeting used to welcome someone who has returned home or back to their usual place.
おかえりなさい、今日も一日お疲れ様でした。
Welcome home, thank you for your hard work today.
Standard polite response to ただいま (tadaima).
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Paired Greeting Pattern
Always remember the set pair: the person arriving says 「ただいま」(tadaima), and the person waiting at home responds with 「おかえりなさい」(okaerinasai).
Gold Rule
Politeness Control
Keep 'nasai' (おかえりなさい) for standard polite interactions. Drop 'nasai' to use 'okaeri' (おかえり) when speaking casually to family members, close friends, or kids.
Word Origin
Formed from the honorific prefix お (o-) + 帰り (kaeri, noun form of かえる 'to return') + なさい (nasai, polite imperative suffix derived from なさる).
Usage Notes
Used by household members or colleagues when someone returns to the home or office. In casual settings with close friends or family, it is commonly shortened to おかえり (okaeri).
Word Breakdown
お
polite/honorific prefix
prefix帰り
return / coming home
rootなさい
polite request/command suffix
suffix和英辞典