おかえり

• 読み: おかえり
• ローマ字: okaeri
• 発音: /o.ka.e.ɾi/

意味

Welcome back — said to someone who has just returned home or to a group.

おかえり is the casual form of おかえりなさい and is part of the iconic ただいま/おかえり exchange that defines Japanese homecoming culture. It is not limited to physical homes — it is also used when someone returns to an online chat, a group activity, or even a favourite restaurant. The exchange carries deep cultural significance about belonging and being welcomed.

例文

1. おかえり！ご飯できてるよ。
2. おかえり〜、仕事どうだった？
3. 配信に戻ってきた、おかえり！

使い方ガイド

場面: home, friends, online communities, streaming

トーン: warm, welcoming

正しい言い方

• おかえり！今日遅かったね (Welcome back! You're late today)
• おかえり〜、お風呂先にする？ (Welcome home~ Want to take a bath first?)

避ける言い方

• 初対面の人に「おかえり」は使わない — 親しい間柄で使う表現 (Don't use おかえり with strangers — it's for people you're close to)

よくある間違い

• Not knowing the expected response — when someone says おかえり, the returner has already said ただいま
• Using おかえり with people you don't know well — it implies a close, welcoming relationship

起源と歴史

Shortened from おかえりなさい (okaerinasai), from 帰る (kaeru, to return). Part of the traditional ただいま/おかえり exchange deeply rooted in Japanese family culture.

文化的背景

時代: Traditional, used for centuries

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan. The ただいま/おかえり exchange is one of the most culturally significant daily rituals in Japanese life.