Meaning
A phrase said to someone who has returned home.
Cultural Background
The 'Tadaima/Okaeri' exchange is considered essential for a 'bright home' (akarui katei). Skipping it is often seen as a sign of family tension. Saying 'Okaerinasai' to a colleague returning from the 'outside' (soto) reinforces the office as an 'inside' (uchi) sanctuary of teamwork. The phrase is the cornerstone of the 'moe' subculture, where customers are treated as the 'master' of the house. Staff use 'Okaerinasaimase' to make guests feel like the inn is their second home, emphasizing deep hospitality (omotenashi).
The Golden Rule
Always wait for the 'Tadaima' before saying 'Okaeri' if you want to be perfectly natural.
Don't be too formal with friends
Using 'Okaerinasai' with a best friend can sound sarcastic or like you're acting like their mother.
Meaning
A phrase said to someone who has returned home.
The Golden Rule
Always wait for the 'Tadaima' before saying 'Okaeri' if you want to be perfectly natural.
Don't be too formal with friends
Using 'Okaerinasai' with a best friend can sound sarcastic or like you're acting like their mother.
The 'Otsukaresama' Combo
In an office, always follow 'Okaerinasai' with 'Otsukaresama desu' for maximum politeness.
Living Alone
Many Japanese people say 'Tadaima' to an empty house to feel less lonely. It's a healthy psychological habit!
Test Yourself
Complete the dialogue between two roommates.
Roommate A: 「ただいまー！」 Roommate B: 「_________！」
Since they are roommates (casual), 'Okaeri' is the perfect response to 'Tadaima'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are a clerk at a clothing store and a customer walks in.
In a shop, you use 'Irasshaimase,' not 'Okaerinasai.'
Fill in the missing part of the formal greeting.
お帰り_________。
The standard polite form is 'Okaerinasai.'
Which of these is the MOST formal?
Select the most formal way to say 'Welcome home'.
Adding 'mase' makes the phrase extremely formal and polite.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Levels of Okaeri
Casual
- • Okaeri
- • Okaerii~
Polite
- • Okaerinasai
Very Formal
- • Okaerinasaimase
Practice Bank
4 exercisesRoommate A: 「ただいまー！」 Roommate B: 「_________！」
Since they are roommates (casual), 'Okaeri' is the perfect response to 'Tadaima'.
Situation: You are a clerk at a clothing store and a customer walks in.
In a shop, you use 'Irasshaimase,' not 'Okaerinasai.'
お帰り_________。
The standard polite form is 'Okaerinasai.'
Select the most formal way to say 'Welcome home'.
Adding 'mase' makes the phrase extremely formal and polite.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsNo, it's too casual. Use 'Okaerinasai' or 'Okaerinasaimase' if you are in a very formal company.
It's considered quite cold or rude. Even a short 'Okaeri' is better than silence.
Rarely. It's primarily a spoken greeting. In emails, you'd use 'O-modori o-tsukaresama desu.'
Yes! Many people say 'Okaeri' to their dogs or cats when they get home.
'Okaeri' specifically means 'Welcome BACK to where you belong.' 'Welcome' is more general.
It's a polite imperative form, essentially asking the person to 'do the act of returning.'
A small nod or slight bow is common when saying the polite 'Okaerinasai' to an elder or colleague.
No, that's too small a trip! Use it for someone returning from 'outside' (work, school, errands).
No, use 'Okaerinasai' to show proper respect.
If they are a very close friend who visits often, 'Okaeri' is a sign of great intimacy.
No. You don't say 'Okaerinasai deshita.' It's only for the moment they arrive.
You would likely use 'O-kaeri-nasaimase' with a very deep bow.
Usually, you both say 'Tadaima' to the house, or one person says it first and the other responds.
Yes, it's a very common trope to show a character finally finding a place where they belong.
Related Phrases
{只今|ただいま}
contrastI'm home / I'm back
{入|い}らっしゃいませ
similarWelcome (to a shop)
ようこそ
similarWelcome (to a place/country)
お{疲|つか}れ{様|さま}です
builds onThank you for your hard work
