おかえり
おかえり
expression
welcome back, welcome home
1.
welcome back, welcome home
A casual greeting said to someone returning home or to a place.
おかえり！
Welcome back!
「ただいま」「おかえり」
"I'm home!" "Welcome back!"
おかえり、今日はどうだった?
Welcome back! How was your day?
おかえり、遅かったね。
Welcome home—you're late.
おかえり is a casual form of お帰りなさい (welcome back). It's the standard response to ただいま (I'm home).
Politeness levels:
- おかえり: casual (family, close friends)
- お帰りなさい: standard polite
This exchange is a fundamental part of daily Japanese life, expressing the warmth of returning home and being welcomed.
In service contexts, maid cafes and similar establishments use お帰りなさいませ as a greeting.