In 15 Seconds
- A warm way to invite someone to visit you.
- Used for friends, colleagues, and acquaintances alike.
- Focuses on making the guest feel wanted and comfortable.
Meaning
This is a warm, friendly way to tell someone they are invited or welcome to visit your home, office, or event. It literally means 'welcome you to come.'
Key Examples
3 of 6Inviting a friend to your new apartment
我有新家了，欢迎你来！
I have a new home, you're welcome to come!
A boss welcoming a new intern to the department
这是我们的办公室，欢迎你来。
This is our office, welcome.
Texting a crush who is nearby
我在这家咖啡馆，欢迎你来。
I'm at this cafe, you're welcome to join.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, being a good host is a point of pride. This phrase reflects the traditional 'guest-first' mentality where making someone feel invited is essential for maintaining social bonds. It is a modern, simplified version of older, more complex ritual invitations.
Not for 'Thank You'
Never use this to respond to 'Thank you.' Use `不客气` (bú kè qì) instead. This phrase is only for physical invitations!
The 'Empty' Invitation
Sometimes people say this just to be polite. If they don't suggest a specific time, it might just be a friendly gesture rather than a firm plan.
In 15 Seconds
- A warm way to invite someone to visit you.
- Used for friends, colleagues, and acquaintances alike.
- Focuses on making the guest feel wanted and comfortable.
What It Means
Think of this as the ultimate 'open door' policy in Chinese. It is a simple, direct way to invite someone over. You are telling them their presence is desired. It is warmer than a formal invitation. It feels like a genuine gesture of hospitality.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone sentence. You can also add a time or place. For example, 欢迎你来我家 means 'Welcome to my home.' Use it when someone asks if they can visit. Use it when you want to be a good host. It is very flexible and easy to remember.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend mentions they are in town. Use it when a new colleague wants to see your office. It is perfect for ending a conversation on a high note. If you are hosting a party, say this at the door. It makes people feel instantly at ease. Even over text, it shows you are approachable.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for 'You are welcome' after a 'Thank you.' That is a different phrase entirely! Do not use it if you are actually annoyed by the person. It sounds too sincere for sarcasm. Avoid using it in extremely high-stakes government ceremonies. There are fancier words for those occasions. Keep it for people you actually want to see.
Cultural Background
Hospitality is a massive part of Chinese culture. Inviting someone to 'come' is more than just a polite phrase. It is about building 'guanxi' or relationships. Historically, welcoming guests meant offering tea and snacks immediately. By saying this, you are signaling that you are ready to be a host. It reflects the value of togetherness and social harmony.
Common Variations
You can make it more polite by using 您 (nín) instead of 你 (nǐ). Say 欢迎您来 for elders or bosses. Add 经常 (jīngcháng) to say 'Welcome to come often.' If you are inviting a group, say 欢迎你们来. You might also hear 欢迎光临 in shops. But stick to 欢迎你来 for personal, warm interactions.
Usage Notes
This phrase is safe for almost any social situation. It sits right in the middle of the formality scale. Just remember to use '您' for elders to stay extra polite.
Not for 'Thank You'
Never use this to respond to 'Thank you.' Use `不客气` (bú kè qì) instead. This phrase is only for physical invitations!
The 'Empty' Invitation
Sometimes people say this just to be polite. If they don't suggest a specific time, it might just be a friendly gesture rather than a firm plan.
Add 'Often'
Add `常` (cháng) to make it `欢迎你常来`. It means 'Welcome to come often' and makes you sound like a very generous host.
Examples
6我有新家了，欢迎你来！
I have a new home, you're welcome to come!
A very common way to share life updates and invite friends.
这是我们的办公室，欢迎你来。
This is our office, welcome.
Shows a welcoming professional environment.
我在这家咖啡馆，欢迎你来。
I'm at this cafe, you're welcome to join.
Low pressure but very clear invitation.
有空的话，欢迎你来坐坐。
If you're free, you're welcome to come sit for a bit.
Adding 'sit for a bit' makes it sound very relaxed.
别担心，欢迎你来！
Don't worry, I'm just glad you're here!
Used to reassure the guest that their presence is what matters.
我的冰箱总是空的，欢迎你来！
My fridge is always empty, you're welcome to come!
Sarcastic use implying they've already eaten everything.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the invitation to a teacher.
老师，欢迎___来我家吃饭。
Using '您' (nín) is the respectful way to address a teacher or superior.
Complete the phrase to say 'Welcome to come to Beijing.'
欢迎你来___。
You place the destination after the verb '来' (come).
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Welcome'
To a close friend
来玩儿吧！
Standard friendly invitation
欢迎你来。
To a client or elder
热烈欢迎您的到来。
Where to use 欢迎你来
At your home
Welcoming a neighbor
At the office
New team member
Over WeChat
Inviting to a party
In a new city
Telling a friend to visit
Practice Bank
2 exercises老师，欢迎___来我家吃饭。
Using '您' (nín) is the respectful way to address a teacher or superior.
欢迎你来___。
You place the destination after the verb '来' (come).
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, that is a common mistake! Use 不客气 (bú kè qì) or 不用谢 (bú yòng xiè) when someone thanks you. 欢迎你来 is only for inviting someone to a place.
欢迎光临 (huān yíng guāng lín) is specifically for customers entering a shop or restaurant. You wouldn't use it for a friend coming to your house.
Yes, but it is better to say 欢迎您来 (huān yíng nín lái) to show respect. The meaning remains the same, but the tone is more professional.
You say 欢迎你来中国 (huān yíng nǐ lái zhōng guó). Just add the location at the end of the phrase.
Absolutely! It is very common in WeChat messages when coordinating plans or inviting someone to join a gathering.
It is neutral. For very close friends, you might just say 来啊！ (Lái a! - Come!), but 欢迎你来 is never weird or 'too much'.
欢迎 (huān yíng) translates to 'welcome.' 欢 means happy/joyous and 迎 means to meet or greet.
Yes. You can tell someone 'I'll be at the park later, 欢迎你来.' It works for future invitations too.
You can say 谢谢 (xiè xiè) or 好的，谢谢邀请 (hǎo de, xiè xiè yāo qǐng), which means 'Okay, thanks for the invitation.'
Not at all. Because it starts with 欢迎 (welcome), it sounds like an open invitation rather than an order to show up.
