いってらっしゃい

• Reading: いってらっしゃい
• Romaji: itterasshai
• Pronunciation: /it.te.ɾas.ɕa.i/

Meaning

A set response meaning 'have a good day' or 'take care and come back safely,' said to someone leaving home.

いってらっしゃい is the mandatory response to いってきます, completing one of Japan's most fundamental daily rituals. It literally means 'go and please come back,' expressing a wish for the person's safe return. It is said by whoever remains at home — parents to children, partners to each other, or roommates. The phrase carries genuine warmth and care, and omitting it can feel cold or worrying.

Examples

1. いってらっしゃい、気をつけてね！ Have a good day, be careful out there!
2. いってらっしゃい〜、傘持った？ See you later~ did you grab your umbrella?
3. いってらっしゃい、お弁当忘れないでね。 Have a good day — don't forget your lunch box.

Usage Guide

Context: home, family, shared living spaces

Tone: warm, caring

Do Say

• いってらっしゃい、今日も頑張ってね (Have a good day, do your best today)
• いってらっしゃい！早く帰ってきてね (See you off! Come home early, okay?)

Don't Say

• 職場で同僚が帰る時に「いってらっしゃい」は不自然 — 「お疲れ様です」を使う (Don't say いってらっしゃい when a coworker leaves the office — use お疲れ様です)

Common Mistakes

• Not responding with いってらっしゃい when someone says いってきます — the pair is socially expected
• Using it in workplace settings — it is specifically a home phrase

Origin & History

From 行って (going) + いらっしゃい (honorific 'come/go/be'), literally 'please go and come back.' The respectful いらっしゃい elevates the phrase to a warm send-off. An essential pair with いってきます in Japanese home culture.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional, centuries-old daily ritual

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used in every household across Japan. Always paired with いってきます. Anime and drama frequently depict this exchange to establish domestic warmth.