What's the difference between ようこそ and いらっしゃいませ?


Both "ようこそ" (y­ōkoso) and "いらっしゃいませ" (irasshaimase) seem to mean "welcome" but
what are the precise circumstances under which each should be used?

  * "いらっしゃいませ" (irasshaimase) is uttered in unison by all the staff whenever you walk into a restaurant or shop
  * "ようこそ" (y­ōkoso) was used in a recent "Welcome to Japan" advertising campaign

But this is just based on my very limited experience so I'm obviously missing
lots of subtleties and insights.




**Y­ōkoso** = Welcome

It's not limited in space or context (written or not). It can be "welcome
home" or "welcome to Japan" or" welcome to try that" or "you're welcome" as in
response to "thank you".

**Irasshaimase** (you have a habit of asking _keigo_ questions!)

is the _sonkeigo_ form of _to be_ and _to come_ ( **いらっしゃる** ) thus giving you
an approximative translation " _thanks for coming_ " or maybe " _It's an honor
for us to have you here_ " :)

Practically:

*If you're invited to some friend's house, they might tell you as you enter:

いらっしゃい、いらっしゃい (roughly = come in, friendly form of the sentence above)

*They could as well tell you something like:

私のうちへようこそ

