Chinese phrases
How to say welcome in Chinese
Welcome in Chinese is 欢迎 (huān yíng). Hosts often double it, 欢迎欢迎, and shops greet you with 欢迎光临 (huān yíng guāng lín).
欢迎
welcome
Ways to say welcome
欢迎
Everydaywelcome
For a guest, a new colleague or a new member of a group. Add 你 for a warmer 欢迎你.
欢迎欢迎
Everydaywelcome, welcome!
Warm and happy: at the door, or when someone joins the table.
欢迎光临
Formalwelcome (to our shop)
Shop and restaurant staff say it as you walk in.
欢迎回来
Everydaywelcome back
After a trip or a long absence, or back at work after leave.
欢迎来到中国
Writtenwelcome to China
On signs, in announcements and in speeches. Put any place after 欢迎来到.
快进来
With friendscome in, come in!
What hosts say at the door, often right after 欢迎欢迎.
When you leave
欢迎下次光临
please come again
Staff say it as you leave a shop or a restaurant.
慢走
take care
Hosts and staff say it as you leave, literally “walk slowly.”
有空再来
come again when you’re free
A host at the door, to a guest.
Common mistakes
Saying 欢迎 for “you’re welcome”
欢迎 greets someone who arrives. After 谢谢, say 不客气 or 没事.
Thinking you must answer 欢迎光临
Staff say 欢迎光临 to everyone who comes in, sometimes all together. You don’t need to reply. A nod is enough.
Saying 欢迎回来 at home
When someone in the family comes home, people say 回来了, “you’re back.” 欢迎回来 is for a longer absence.
At Qiqi’s door
欢迎欢迎！快进来。
Qiqi: Welcome, welcome! Come in.
打扰了。这是给你的。
Leon: Thanks for having me. This is for you.
太客气了！
Qiqi: You shouldn’t have!
