いらっしゃる

• Reading: いらっしゃる
• Romaji: irassharu
• Pronunciation: /i.ɾa.ɕɕa.ɾɯ/

Meaning

Honorific form of いる (to be), 行く (to go), and 来る (to come). Used to show respect toward the listener or a third person.

A Group 1 (godan) irregular verb with special conjugation: いらっしゃいます (polite), いらっしゃい (imperative, also used as a greeting meaning 'Welcome!'). This single verb serves as the honorific replacement for three verbs, so context determines which meaning applies.

Examples

1. 先生は今教室にいらっしゃいますか。 Is the teacher in the classroom right now?
2. お客様がいらっしゃいました。 A guest has arrived.
3. 明日も会社にいらっしゃいますか。 Will you be at the office tomorrow as well?

Usage Guide

Context: business, service industry, polite conversation

Tone: respectful

Origin & History

Derived from いらせらる, a classical honorific compound verb. Over centuries it contracted into the modern いらっしゃる form, preserving its respectful nuance.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal