迎える

• Reading: むかえる
• Romaji: mukaeru
• Kanji breakdown: 迎 (gei/muka) — welcome, greet, meet
• Pronunciation: /mɯ.ka.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To welcome; to greet; to meet someone upon arrival. Also means to reach or enter a new phase.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb. Has two main uses: physically going to meet or welcome someone (空港で迎える), and reaching a milestone or period (新年を迎える, 春を迎える). The compound 出迎える means to go out to meet someone arriving.

Examples

1. 空港に友達を迎えに行きます。 I'm going to the airport to pick up my friend.
2. 新しい年を元気に迎えましょう。 Let's welcome the new year in good spirits.
3. お客様を笑顔で迎えることが大事です。 It's important to greet customers with a smile.

Usage Guide

Context: greetings, travel, seasons

Tone: warm

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 迎 combines 辶 (movement) and 卬 (to face upward), depicting going forward to face and receive someone approaching.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal