Significado
A greeting used by shop or restaurant staff to welcome customers.
Contexto cultural
The 'Yamabiko' (echo) effect is a common practice where one staff member's 'Irasshaimase' is echoed by all other staff members to create a lively atmosphere. The phrase represents the concept of 'Omotenashi', where the host anticipates the needs of the guest and provides a warm, standardized welcome. Japanese customers rarely respond verbally to 'Irasshaimase'. This isn't rudeness; it's a recognition of the professional roles of staff and customer. The phrase reflects the historical shift where merchants began using high-level samurai-class language to flatter their customers.
The Silent Response
If you feel awkward saying nothing, a tiny 5-degree tilt of the head (eshyaku) is the perfect 'pro' move.
Don't use at home!
Using this for guests at home makes you sound like you're charging them for dinner.
Significado
A greeting used by shop or restaurant staff to welcome customers.
The Silent Response
If you feel awkward saying nothing, a tiny 5-degree tilt of the head (eshyaku) is the perfect 'pro' move.
Don't use at home!
Using this for guests at home makes you sound like you're charging them for dinner.
Listen for the melody
High-end stores use a 'sing-song' melody (up-down-up), while markets use a 'staccato' shout.
Ponte a prueba
Match the greeting to the correct situation.
Which phrase would a shopkeeper use when you enter their store?
いらっしゃいませ is the standard greeting for customers entering a shop.
Complete the dialogue between a staff member and a customer.
Staff: いらっしゃいませ！何名様ですか？ Customer: _________。
The customer should respond to the question about the number of people, not repeat the greeting.
Choose the most appropriate response when a clerk says 'Irasshaimase!'
What should you do?
A silent acknowledgment is the most natural response for a customer in Japan.
Fill in the blank with the correct form.
At a casual ramen shop, the chef might shout: '_________！何にする？'
'Irasshai' is the casual version of 'Irasshaimase' used in informal eateries.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Where you will hear 'Irasshaimase'
Food
- • Restaurants
- • Izakaya
- • Cafes
Retail
- • Convenience Stores
- • Department Stores
- • Boutiques
Travel
- • Hotels
- • Souvenir Shops
- • Train Kiosks
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosWhich phrase would a shopkeeper use when you enter their store?
いらっしゃいませ is the standard greeting for customers entering a shop.
Staff: いらっしゃいませ！何名様ですか？ Customer: _________。
The customer should respond to the question about the number of people, not repeat the greeting.
What should you do?
A silent acknowledgment is the most natural response for a customer in Japan.
At a casual ramen shop, the chef might shout: '_________！何にする？'
'Irasshai' is the casual version of 'Irasshaimase' used in informal eateries.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, you don't. A nod or a smile is sufficient and culturally appropriate.
Yes, 'Konnichiwa' is perfectly fine if you want to be more vocal, especially in smaller shops.
It's to create 'kaki' (energy/vitality). It signals to other customers that the shop is lively and popular.
Not rude, but informal. It's used in 'mom-and-pop' shops or by older male shopkeepers.
They will still say it! It's a reflex and a standard part of their job requirements.
Literally, yes, but functionally it just means 'Welcome'.
No, use 'Youkoso' or 'Arigatou' for personal parties.
It's just a fast, slurred version of the full phrase used in busy urban areas.
No, 'Irasshaimase' is a spoken greeting. In emails, you'd use 'O-sewa ni natte orimasu'.
No, both men and women use it exactly the same way.
Frases relacionadas
ようこそ
similarWelcome (general)
お{帰|かえ}りなさい
contrastWelcome home
お{待|ま}たせいたしました
builds onSorry to have kept you waiting
まいど
specialized formWelcome/Thank you (Osaka dialect)
