Built from the polite prefix お, 帰り “return,” and なさい, a familiar polite ending.
Built from the polite prefix お, 帰り “return,” and なさい, a familiar polite ending.
When do I say おかえりなさい?
Say it to someone who has returned home or to a familiar place.
What does the returning person say?
They usually say ただいま.
Is there a shorter form?
Yes. おかえり is common with family and close friends.
Can I say it when I return?
Usually the person waiting says it; the returner says ただいま.
How is it written in kanji?
You may see お帰りなさい, though the hiragana spelling is common in everyday messages.