欢迎光临
huānyíng guānglín
Welcome (to our store or restaurant) · trad. 歡迎光臨
欢迎光临 (Huānyíng guānglín) is the universal greeting used to welcome customers into a store, restaurant, or other business. It means "welcome, honored guest" and is called out as guests walk in.
What does 欢迎光临 (huānyíng guānglín) mean?
欢迎光临 (huānyíng guānglín) means “welcome (to our store or restaurant)” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “welcome honor arrive.”
When to use it
Formal and polite. It's almost exclusively used by staff to greet customers in commercial settings. Customers do not typically use this phrase. There isn't a direct reply from the customer, usually just a nod or a smile.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “HWAH-yeeng GWAHNG-leen.” The first syllable of 欢迎 is a high-level tone, and the second is rising. Both syllables of 光临 are high-level tones.
Other ways to say it
- 欢迎下次光临huānyíng xià cì guānglínwelcome next time (used when customers leave)
- 欢迎huānyíngwelcome (general welcome)
- 请进qǐng jìnplease come in (inviting into a private space)
Examples
欢迎光临，请随便看。
huānyíng guānglín, qǐng suíbiàn kàn.
Welcome, please feel free to look around.
您好，欢迎光临！请问几位？
nín hǎo, huānyíng guānglín! qǐngwèn jǐ wèi?
Hello, welcome! How many people?
谢谢惠顾，欢迎下次光临！
xièxie huìgù, huānyíng xià cì guānglín!
Thank you for your patronage, welcome next time!
Pro tip: In a business, staff often call out this phrase loudly and enthusiastically to create a welcoming atmosphere. It is not typically used for welcoming guests into a private home.
Related phrases
请稍等 · One moment, please让您久等了 · Sorry to keep you waiting请这边走 · This way, please
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