Staff greetings
Conversation phrases, Stage 4chunk 12 of 23Errands and service
Recognise the welcome, take your time and come again lines staff say as you arrive and leave.
- irasshaimasewelcome (in shops)
- goyukkuri douzoenjoy your meal; enjoy your stay; take your time
- mata okoshi kudasaiplease come again
- omachi shite orimashitawe've been expecting you; welcome
- okoshicoming; visit (honorific)
Mix-ups Omachi shite orimashita (we were expecting you) gets mixed with omatase shimashita (sorry to keep you waiting).
irasshaimase
welcome (in shops)
Called out by staff as you walk into a shop or restaurant; customers don't reply, a nod is enough.
At someone's home you'll hear irasshai (come on in).
irasshaimase! nanmeisama desu ka?
Welcome! How many in your party?
いらっしゃいませ！何名様ですか？
Written いらっしゃいませWho said to youHeard 148× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
goyukkuri douzo
enjoy your meal; enjoy your stay; take your time
Staff say it after serving food or showing you to a room; no reply needed, a nod or doumo is fine.
Often shortened to just goyukkuri. A host says it to guests at home too.
kochira koohii desu. goyukkuri douzo.
Here's your coffee. Enjoy.
こちらコーヒーです。ごゆっくりどうぞ。
Written ごゆっくりどうぞWho said to youHeard 109× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
mata okoshi kudasai
please come again
Staff say it as you leave a shop or restaurant; no reply needed, or gochisousama deshita after a meal.
Often heard as mata okoshi kudasaimase, even more polite.
arigatou gozaimashita. mata okoshi kudasai.
Thank you very much. Please come again.
ありがとうございました。またお越しください。
Written またお越しください · またおこしくださいWho said to youHeard 12× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
omachi shite orimashita
we've been expecting you; welcome
Hotel or restaurant staff say it once they confirm your booking; a nod or yoroshiku onegai shimasu is fine.
The casual equivalent between friends is matteta yo (I was waiting for you).
tanaka-sama desu ne. omachi shite orimashita.
Mr. Tanaka? We've been expecting you.
田中様ですね。お待ちしておりました。
Written お待ちしておりました · おまちしておりましたWho said to youHeard 20× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
okoshi
coming; visit (honorific)
Staff and hosts use it about your coming: yoku okoshi kudasaimashita (thanks for coming), mata no okoshi o omachi shite orimasu (please come again).
Never use it about yourself; for your own visit say ukagaimasu.
mata no okoshi o omachi shite orimasu.
We look forward to seeing you again.
またのお越しをお待ちしております。
Written お越し · おこしWho said to youHeard 124× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles