willkommen heißen

This is a verb phrase. The word heißen is the part you conjugate. It usually takes an object—the person you are welcoming. You will often see it with the word herzlich (heartily/warmly). For example: Wir heißen dich herzlich willkommen. Note that willkommen stays at the end in many sentence structures. It feels active and intentional.

Use this when someone joins a group. Use it when a friend visits your home for the first time. It is perfect for speeches at weddings or office parties. If you are texting a friend about a new roommate, this works too. It shows you are putting effort into the hospitality. It is great for big life milestones like a new baby or a new house.

Do not use this for a casual 'hi' on the street. It is too heavy for a quick encounter. If you are just passing a neighbor, a simple Hallo is better. Also, avoid it in very brief transactions. You wouldn't 'willkommen heißen' a cashier while buying milk. That would feel a bit dramatic and strange. Keep it for moments that actually involve 'receiving' someone into a space.

German culture values clear transitions and formal hospitality. When you enter a German home, there is often a specific moment of being 'welcomed.' It marks the shift from the outside world to a private space. Historically, heißen meant 'to call' or 'to command.' So, you are literally 'calling' the state of being welcome upon someone. It is a verbal hug.

You will frequently hear jemanden willkommen heißen. Another common one is jemanden herzlich willkommen heißen. If you want to sound very formal, you might use willkommen hießen in the past tense. In business, you might see Wir heißen Sie in unserem Unternehmen willkommen. It is a versatile tool for any social toolkit.