Irasshaimase Meaning in English: How to Respond in Japan

いらっしゃいませ — irasshaimase means “welcome” in Japanese shops, restaurants, hotels, and other customer-facing settings.

You may hear it as soon as you enter. Should you repeat it, say konnichiwa, bow, or remain silent?

The easiest answer is reassuring: customers are not expected to return the same phrase.

The short answer

Irasshaimase is a conventional welcome used by staff in shops, restaurants, hotels, and other customer-facing settings. Natural English translations include “welcome” and “hello,” but its role is closer to acknowledging the customer’s arrival.

As a customer, you may:

• give a small nod;
• smile briefly;
• say konnichiwa in a personal, quiet interaction;
• proceed without a verbal response.

All can be normal. Do not say irasshaimase back unless you are joking or acting as staff.

What the form contains

The expression is connected to the honorific verb いらっしゃる — irassharu, used for “to come,” “to go,” or “to be” when referring respectfully to another person. Irasshaimase is a welcoming imperative form directed toward the arriving customer.

Literal grammar does not produce a useful English script. Staff are not commanding you to arrive after you have already entered. The phrase has become a conventional service greeting.

Why staff may not look directly at you

In a busy store, several employees may call irasshaimase while continuing their work. The greeting can be addressed to entering customers collectively rather than opening a one-to-one conversation.

That is why silence from the customer is not necessarily dismissive. A nod may be enough, and sometimes no visible response is required. When an employee approaches to help you personally, ordinary conversational responses become more relevant.

At restaurants

After the welcome, staff may ask about the number in your party:

何名様ですか。 Nan-mei-sama desu ka. “How many people?”

You can answer simply:

二人です。 Futari desu. “Two.”

The practical response is to the question that follows, not to irasshaimase itself.

What not to overinterpret

The greeting does not prove that an employee is personally delighted, nor does it promise unlimited service. Like “welcome” or “good morning” in other service cultures, it is both meaningful and routine.

Volume also varies. A lively restaurant may use a coordinated call; a small gallery may offer a quiet greeting. Neither style defines Japanese hospitality as a whole.

Leaving the shop

If you purchased something, arigatō gozaimasu is a natural thanks. In a restaurant, gochisōsama deshita can acknowledge the completed meal. You do not need an elaborate farewell for a brief transaction.

A practical rule

Treat irasshaimase as staff welcoming your arrival. A nod, smile, or no verbal answer is fine. Respond clearly when staff ask an actual question or begin helping you.

For the broader idea of attentive hospitality—and the myths surrounding it—read our guide to omotenashi.

Source note

The shop and restaurant context is represented in the Japan Foundation’s Irodori Starter, Lesson 6, where irasshaimase opens ordering exchanges. The response guidance describes common interaction patterns without claiming that every business uses the same service style.