Question
I’ve heard that Japan has specific phrases for when you enter and leave a home. I’ll be staying with a host family soon, and I’d like to know what to say when I enter and leave their home. How do I properly greet them in Japanese in these situations?
Japango Editor Team
お邪魔（じゃま）します。
Ojama shimasu.
I will come in now.
行（い）ってきます。
Ittekimasu.
I’m leaving now.
ただいま。
Tadaima.
I’m back.
お帰（かえ）りなさい。
Okaerinasai.
Welcome back.
When entering someone’s home in Japan, it is customary to say お邪魔します (ojama shimasu), which literally means “I will disturb you” but is used as a polite way to announce your entry.
When leaving the house, especially if you’re living with a host family, you should say 行ってきます (ittekimasu), meaning “I’m leaving now.” This indicates you’ll be back.
Upon returning, you greet everyone with ただいま (tadaima), meaning “I’m back.” The typical response from someone at home is お帰りなさい (okaerinasai), which means “welcome back.”
These phrases are staple parts of daily life in Japan, especially when living with a host family or staying at someone’s house. Learning these greetings can aid in adapting to and respecting Japanese customs.
