🇯🇵 Japanese phrases

How to Say "Welcome back" in Japanese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
お帰りなさい
"Welcome back" in Japanese · say it like oh-kai-ree-nah-sai

The most natural way to say "Welcome back" in Japanese is お帰りなさい. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

おかえり
a casual way to say it, often used among friends and family

When to use it

Use this phrase when someone returns home after being away. It is a warm and welcoming expression. You can say it to family members, friends, or anyone you are close to. In more casual settings, you can use the shorter version 'おかえり'.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Welcome back" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Japanese

JapaneseEnglish
ただいま!I'm back!
お帰りなさい、今日はどうだった?Welcome back, how was your day?
Common mistake
Some learners might confuse this phrase with 'いらっしゃいませ', which is used in shops and restaurants.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear お帰りなさい, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Japanese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use this phrase for someone returning to work?

It's best used for homecomings, but you can say it in a friendly way if someone returns to a familiar workplace.

Learn Japanese by speaking it

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