SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ja-welcome-home

Someone at home says 'Tadaima' (I'm home). What do you answer?

Okaerinasai. (おかえりなさい。)

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  1. Gochisoosama deshita. (ごちそうさまでした。)
  2. Hajimemashite. (はじめまして。)
  3. Okaerinasai. (おかえりなさい。) ✔

Why: Okaerinasai means welcome home, and it is the standard reply to tadaima. Gochisoosama deshita is said after a meal. Hajimemashite is for first meetings.

Huh, didn't know that: In NHK's story, landlady Haru-san greets Tam with 'Yookoso irasshaimashita', meaning welcome.

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Where does Santa stay when he's traveling? At a ho-ho-hotel.
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References

Answer: Okaerinasai. (おかえりなさい。). Okaerinasai means welcome home, and it is the standard reply to tadaima. Gochisoosama deshita is said after a meal. Hajimemashite is for first meetings.

  1. NHK WORLD-JAPAN Easy Japanese, Lesson 18 www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/lesson/en/lessons/18.html
    Okaerinasai. Welcome home. Nagano wa doo deshita ka. How was Nagano?
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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