ようこそ

Japanese

Etymology

yoku koso > you koso > yoːkoso. From the adverb yoku (“well”) and the emphatic particle koso. The medial -k- drops out and the resulting -ou- elide into a long vowel.

Pronunciation

• IPA: [yoːkoso]

Adverb

ようこそ (romaji yōkoso)

1. an expression of appreciation at someones arrival; welcome

   　日本へようこそ！

   Nihon e yōkoso!

   Welcome to Japan.

   私たちの家へようこそ。

   Watashitachi no uchi e yōkoso.

   Welcome to our home.