The word “welcome” is one of the warmest and most useful expressions in any language. It can make visitors feel comfortable, show hospitality, and create a friendly first impression. But how do you say welcome in different languages?
From Spanish and French to Japanese, Arabic, Hindi, and Korean, languages around the world have their own natural ways to welcome someone. Some translations are short and direct, while others are commonly used as phrases when greeting guests.
This guide covers welcome in different languages in all languages, including the correct native expression, an easy English pronunciation, a practical example sentence, and the English meaning of each example. Whether you are travelling, learning a language, welcoming international visitors, or simply curious about global greetings, this list gives you a useful starting point.
Welcome in Different Languages
| Language | Correct Native Phrase | Easy English Pronunciation | Real-Life Example Sentence | English Meaning |
| Afrikaans | Welkom | Vel-kom | Welkom by ons huis! | Welcome to our home! |
| Albanian | Mirë se vini | Mee-reh seh vee-nee | Mirë se vini në shtëpinë tonë! | Welcome to our home! |
| Arabic | أهلاً وسهلاً | Ahlan wa sahlan | أهلاً وسهلاً بكم في بيتنا! | Welcome to our home! |
| Armenian | Բարի գալուստ | Ba-ree ga-loost | Բարի գալուստ մեր տուն։ | Welcome to our home. |
| Azerbaijani | Xoş gəlmisiniz | Khosh gal-mi-si-niz | Xoş gəlmisiniz evimizə! | Welcome to our home! |
| Basque | Ongi etorri | On-gee eh-tor-ree | Ongi etorri gure etxera! | Welcome to our home! |
| Belarusian | Сардэчна запрашаем | Sar-dech-na za-pra-sha-yem | Сардэчна запрашаем у наш дом! | Welcome to our home! |
| Bengali | স্বাগতম | Shwa-go-tom | আমাদের বাড়িতে স্বাগতম! | Welcome to our home! |
| Bosnian | Dobro došli | Doh-broh dosh-lee | Dobro došli u naš dom! | Welcome to our home! |
| Bulgarian | Добре дошли | Doh-breh dohsh-lee | Добре дошли в нашия дом! | Welcome to our home! |
| Catalan | Benvingut / Benvinguda | Ben-vee-ngoot / Ben-vee-ngoo-da | Benvinguts a casa nostra! | Welcome to our home! |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 欢迎 | Huānyíng | 欢迎来到我们家! | Welcome to our home! |
| Croatian | Dobro došli | Doh-broh dosh-lee | Dobro došli u naš dom! | Welcome to our home! |
| Czech | Vítejte | Vee-tay-teh | Vítejte u nás doma! | Welcome to our home! |
| Danish | Velkommen | Vel-kom-men | Velkommen til vores hjem! | Welcome to our home! |
| Dutch | Welkom | Vel-kom | Welkom bij ons thuis! | Welcome to our home! |
| Estonian | Tere tulemast | Teh-reh too-leh-mast | Tere tulemast meie koju! | Welcome to our home! |
| Filipino | Maligayang pagdating | Ma-lee-ga-yang pag-da-ting | Maligayang pagdating sa aming tahanan! | Welcome to our home! |
| Finnish | Tervetuloa | Ter-veh-too-lo-ah | Tervetuloa kotiimme! | Welcome to our home! |
| French | Bienvenue | Bee-an-veh-noo | Bienvenue chez nous ! | Welcome to our home! |
| Georgian | კეთილი იყოს თქვენი მობრძანება | Keh-tee-lee ee-kos tkve-nee mob-rdza-neh-ba | კეთილი იყოს თქვენი მობრძანება ჩვენს სახლში! | Welcome to our home! |
| German | Willkommen | Vil-kom-men | Willkommen bei uns zu Hause! | Welcome to our home! |
| Greek | Καλώς ήρθατε | Ka-los eer-tha-teh | Καλώς ήρθατε στο σπίτι μας! | Welcome to our home! |
| Haitian Creole | Byenveni | Byen-veh-nee | Byenveni lakay nou! | Welcome to our home! |
| Hausa | Barka da zuwa | Bar-ka da zoo-wa | Barka da zuwa gidanka! | Welcome to your home! |
| Hebrew | ברוכים הבאים | Bru-khim ha-ba-im | ברוכים הבאים לבית שלנו! | Welcome to our home! |
| Hindi | स्वागत है | Swa-gat hai | हमारे घर में आपका स्वागत है! | Welcome to our home! |
| Hungarian | Üdvözlünk | Ood-voez-loonk | Üdvözlünk az otthonunkban! | Welcome to our home! |
| Icelandic | Velkomin | Vel-koh-min | Velkomin heim! | Welcome home! |
| Indonesian | Selamat datang | Seh-la-mat da-tang | Selamat datang di rumah kami! | Welcome to our home! |
| Irish | Fáilte | Fawl-cheh | Fáilte chuig ár dteach! | Welcome to our home! |
| Italian | Benvenuto / Benvenuta | Ben-veh-noo-toh / Ben-veh-noo-tah | Benvenuti a casa nostra! | Welcome to our home! |
| Japanese | ようこそ | Yōkoso | ようこそ、私たちの家へ! | Welcome to our home! |
| Javanese | Sugeng rawuh | Soo-geng ra-wooh | Sugeng rawuh ing omah kita! | Welcome to our home! |
| Kannada | ಸ್ವಾಗತ | Swa-ga-ta | ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಗೆ ಸ್ವಾಗತ! | Welcome to our home! |
| Kazakh | Қош келдіңіз | Qosh kel-di-ngiz | Біздің үйге қош келдіңіз! | Welcome to our home! |
| Khmer | សូមស្វាគមន៍ | Soom sva-ga-mon | សូមស្វាគមន៍មកកាន់ផ្ទះរបស់យើង! | Welcome to our home! |
| Korean | 환영합니다 | Hwan-yeong-ham-ni-da | 저희 집에 오신 것을 환영합니다! | Welcome to our home! |
| Lao | ຍິນດີຕ້ອນຮັບ | Yin-dee ton-hap | ຍິນດີຕ້ອນຮັບສູ່ບ້ານຂອງພວກເຮົາ! | Welcome to our home! |
| Latvian | Laipni lūdzam | Liep-nee lood-zam | Laipni lūdzam mūsu mājās! | Welcome to our home! |
| Lithuanian | Sveiki atvykę | Svay-kee at-vee-keh | Sveiki atvykę į mūsų namus! | Welcome to our home! |
| Macedonian | Добредојдовте | Doh-breh-doy-dov-teh | Добредојдовте во нашиот дом! | Welcome to our home! |
| Malay | Selamat datang | Seh-la-mat da-tang | Selamat datang ke rumah kami! | Welcome to our home! |
| Malayalam | സ്വാഗതം | Swa-ga-tham | ഞങ്ങളുടെ വീട്ടിലേക്ക് സ്വാഗതം! | Welcome to our home! |
| Maltese | Merħba | Merh-ba | Merħba fid-dar tagħna! | Welcome to our home! |
| Marathi | स्वागत आहे | Swa-gat aa-heh | आमच्या घरी स्वागत आहे! | Welcome to our home! |
| Mongolian | Тавтай морилно уу | Tav-tai mo-ril-no oo | Манай гэрт тавтай морилно уу! | Welcome to our home! |
| Nepali | स्वागत छ | Swa-gat chha | हाम्रो घरमा स्वागत छ! | Welcome to our home! |
| Norwegian | Velkommen | Vel-kom-men | Velkommen hjem! | Welcome home! |
| Persian | خوش آمدید | Khosh aa-ma-deed | به خانه ما خوش آمدید! | Welcome to our home! |
| Polish | Witamy | Vee-ta-my | Witamy w naszym domu! | Welcome to our home! |
| Portuguese | Bem-vindo / Bem-vinda | Bem-vin-doo / Bem-vin-da | Bem-vindos à nossa casa! | Welcome to our home! |
| Punjabi | ਜੀ ਆਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ | Jee aa-iyaan noo | ਸਾਡੇ ਘਰ ਜੀ ਆਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ! | Welcome to our home! |
| Romanian | Bine ați venit | Bee-neh atz veh-neet | Bine ați venit în casa noastră! | Welcome to our home! |
| Russian | Добро пожаловать | Doh-broh pa-zha-lo-vat | Добро пожаловать в наш дом! | Welcome to our home! |
| Serbian | Добро дошли | Doh-broh dosh-lee | Добро дошли у наш дом! | Welcome to our home! |
| Slovak | Vitajte | Vee-tie-teh | Vitajte u nás doma! | Welcome to our home! |
| Slovenian | Dobrodošli | Doh-broh-dosh-lee | Dobrodošli pri nas doma! | Welcome to our home! |
| Somali | Soo dhowow | Soh dhow-ow | Soo dhowow gurigeenna! | Welcome to our home! |
| Spanish | Bienvenido / Bienvenida | Bee-en-veh-nee-doh / Bee-en-veh-nee-dah | ¡Bienvenidos a nuestra casa! | Welcome to our home! |
| Swahili | Karibu | Ka-ree-boo | Karibu nyumbani kwetu! | Welcome to our home! |
| Swedish | Välkommen | Vel-kom-men | Välkommen hem! | Welcome home! |
| Tamil | வரவேற்கிறோம் | Va-ra-ver-ki-rom | எங்கள் வீட்டிற்கு வரவேற்கிறோம்! | Welcome to our home! |
| Telugu | స్వాగతం | Swaa-ga-tam | మా ఇంటికి స్వాగతం! | Welcome to our home! |
| Thai | ยินดีต้อนรับ | Yin-dee ton-rap | ยินดีต้อนรับสู่บ้านของเรา! | Welcome to our home! |
| Turkish | Hoş geldiniz | Hosh gel-di-niz | Evimize hoş geldiniz! | Welcome to our home! |
| Ukrainian | Ласкаво просимо | Las-ka-vo pro-sy-mo | Ласкаво просимо до нашого дому! | Welcome to our home! |
| Urdu | خوش آمدید | Khush aa-meed | ہمارے گھر میں خوش آمدید! | Welcome to our home! |
| Uzbek | Xush kelibsiz | Khush ke-lib-siz | Uyimizga xush kelibsiz! | Welcome to our home! |
| Vietnamese | Chào mừng | Chao mung | Chào mừng bạn đến nhà chúng tôi! | Welcome to our home! |
| Welsh | Croeso | Kroy-so | Croeso i’n cartref! | Welcome to our home! |
| Yoruba | Ẹ káàbọ̀ | Eh kaa-boh | Ẹ káàbọ̀ sí ilé wa! | Welcome to our home! |
| Zulu | Siyakwamukela | See-ya-kwa-meh-keh-la | Siyakwamukela ekhaya lethu! | Welcome to our home! |
How to Say “Welcome” in Different Languages
If you are searching for how to say welcome in different languages, the most important thing to remember is that translations can change according to the situation.
For example, English uses the single word “welcome” in many situations. You might welcome a guest to your home, greet someone arriving in a country, welcome customers to a business, or welcome someone to an event.
Other languages may change the wording depending on the person being addressed, their gender, the number of people, or the formality of the situation.
For example, Spanish commonly uses bienvenido for a male individual and bienvenida for a female individual. Portuguese and Italian also have forms that change according to gender and number.
Welcome in Different Languages Around the World
The idea of welcoming guests is found in cultures around the world. However, the exact expression and social customs surrounding hospitality can differ greatly.
In Arabic, أهلاً وسهلاً is a warm and widely recognised expression of welcome. In Japanese, ようこそ is commonly used to welcome someone to a place or occasion.
In Swahili, Karibu is a familiar and important word associated with welcoming someone. Turkish uses Hoş geldiniz, while Russian commonly uses Добро пожаловать.
These expressions demonstrate that welcome in different languages around the world is more than a vocabulary exercise. It also provides a small insight into how different cultures communicate hospitality.
Welcome in European Languages
European languages have many recognisable forms of the word “welcome”.
French uses Bienvenue, German uses Willkommen, Italian uses Benvenuto or Benvenuta, and Dutch uses Welkom.
Several Slavic languages use expressions built around the idea of arriving well or being received positively. Russian uses Добро пожаловать, while Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian, and Bulgarian use related forms based on “welcome” and “good arrival”.
In Scandinavian languages, forms such as Danish Velkommen, Norwegian Velkommen, and Swedish Välkommen are common.
Welcome in Asian Languages
Asian languages offer a wide range of expressions for welcoming visitors.
Mandarin Chinese uses 欢迎, while Korean commonly uses 환영합니다. Japanese uses ようこそ, particularly when welcoming someone to a place or event.
Hindi uses स्वागत है, Bengali uses স্বাগতম, and Marathi uses स्वागत आहे.
In Southeast Asia, Indonesian and Malay both use Selamat datang, while Thai uses ยินดีต้อนรับ and Vietnamese commonly uses Chào mừng.
Welcome in Arabic, Urdu and Persian
Arabic, Urdu, and Persian each have warm expressions associated with welcoming people.
Arabic commonly uses أهلاً وسهلاً, Persian uses خوش آمدید, and Urdu uses خوش آمدید.
Although Urdu and Persian share the same written expression in this case, pronunciation and broader usage can differ.
Learning these expressions can be especially useful when greeting guests, beginning conversations, travelling, or communicating with speakers of these languages.
Formal and Informal Ways to Say Welcome
The appropriate translation of “welcome” depends on the situation.
A formal welcome may be used at a conference, workplace, ceremony, hotel, university, or official event. A more casual expression may be used with friends, family, or visitors arriving at your home.
For example, a formal sign might simply say “Welcome”, while a host speaking to friends may use a more conversational expression.
Some languages also distinguish between singular and plural forms. Others change the expression depending on gender or grammatical structure.
Before using a translation, consider who you are welcoming and where the greeting will be used.
Welcome vs Welcome Home
“Welcome” and “welcome home” are related but not always translated in exactly the same way.
“Welcome” can greet someone arriving at a place, event, country, business, or home.
“Welcome home” specifically communicates that someone has returned to their home or a place they consider home.
For example, English speakers might say:
“Welcome to our home.”
But after someone returns, they may say:
“Welcome home!”
Many languages have separate natural expressions for these situations, which is why context matters when studying welcome translations.
Why Learn “Welcome” in Other Languages?
Learning how to say “welcome” can be useful for many reasons.
Travellers can use it when meeting international visitors. Students can learn it as part of basic vocabulary. Businesses can use multilingual welcome messages for international customers.
It can also be useful for websites, signs, hotels, restaurants, schools, events, and social media content aimed at an international audience.
Even learning one simple welcoming phrase can make a conversation feel warmer and more personal.
Tips for Using Welcome Translations Correctly
First, check whether the phrase is formal or informal. A phrase appropriate for close friends may not be suitable for an official event.
Second, pay attention to gender and number where the language requires it. Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and several other languages may change the form.
Third, learn the pronunciation before speaking. A correctly written phrase can still sound unfamiliar if pronounced incorrectly.
Finally, consider the context. “Welcome”, “welcome home”, “welcome to our country”, and “welcome to our event” may require different natural expressions.
Conclusion
Learning welcome in different languages is a simple but useful way to explore international communication and hospitality. From Bienvenue in French and Willkommen in German to ようこそ in Japanese and خوش آمدید in Urdu, each language has its own way of making people feel accepted and appreciated.
The 70 translations in this guide provide practical examples for travellers, students, writers, businesses, and anyone interested in welcome in all languages.
FAQs
1. How do you say “welcome” in different languages?
“Welcome” has different translations depending on the language. Some common examples include Bienvenue in French, Willkommen in German, Bienvenido in Spanish, Benvenuto in Italian, Karibu in Swahili, and ようこそ in Japanese.
2. What is “welcome” in Spanish?
“Welcome” in Spanish is commonly bienvenido when addressing a male and bienvenida when addressing a female. Plural forms are also used when welcoming multiple people.
3. How do you say “welcome” in French?
“Welcome” in French is Bienvenue. It is widely used when welcoming someone to a place, event, home, or organisation.
4. What is the most common word for welcome in another language?
There is no single most common international translation. Every language has its own expression, and the most appropriate form depends on the country, language, context, and level of formality.
5. How do you say “welcome” in Urdu?
“Welcome” in Urdu is خوش آمدید, commonly pronounced approximately Khush aa-meed. It is used to warmly welcome someone.