Meaning and Usage
"歓迎" (かんげい) means "welcome" or "reception" and is commonly used to express the act of warmly receiving someone, such as guests, new employees, or visitors. It is a noun but often appears in verb form as "歓迎する" (to welcome).
Common Contexts
You will often see "歓迎" in formal or semi-formal settings like company events, ceremonies, or social gatherings where guests or newcomers are greeted.
Collocations and Patterns
- "歓迎会" (かんげいかい): welcome party, often held for new employees or members.
- "歓迎の言葉" (かんげいのことば): words of welcome, typically said in speeches.
- "歓迎される": to be welcomed, used to express feeling accepted or embraced.
Usage Tips
When using "歓迎," it usually implies a positive, warm reception. Avoid confusing it with casual greetings; "歓迎" carries a sense of hospitality and formal acceptance. Learners sometimes confuse "歓迎" with simple greetings like "こんにちは," but "歓迎" is more about the act of welcoming someone into a group or place.
Register
"歓迎" is polite and appropriate in both formal and informal contexts but is more common in formal or official situations.