huānyíng: 欢迎 - Welcome

• Keywords: huanying, 欢迎, how to say welcome in Chinese, Chinese for welcome, welcome in Mandarin, huanying meaning, Chinese hospitality, 欢迎光临, huanying guanglin, HSK 1 words
• Summary: Learn how to say “Welcome” in Chinese with the word 欢迎 (huānyíng). This comprehensive guide covers the core meaning, character breakdown, cultural significance, and practical usage of 欢迎. Discover how this simple word is key to Chinese hospitality and learn to use it correctly in various situations, from greeting guests at home to understanding signs in a Chinese airport. Avoid the common mistake of using it for “You're welcome” and master this essential HSK 1 vocabulary.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): huānyíng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: To welcome; to greet someone cordially.
• In a Nutshell: 欢迎 (huānyíng) is the direct and most common way to say “welcome” in Mandarin Chinese. It's a versatile word used to express a happy and open reception to a guest, visitor, or new participant. Think of it as the verbal equivalent of opening your arms to greet someone arriving at your home, your city, or your event.

• 欢 (huān): This character means “joyful,” “happy,” or “pleased.” It's made up of 又 (yòu), representing a hand, and 欠 (qiàn), representing a person with an open mouth (often yawning or breathing). Together, they can be visualized as someone so full of joy they are singing or exclaiming happily. It's found in words like 喜欢 (xǐhuān - to like).
• 迎 (yíng): This character means “to go out to meet,” “to greet,” or “to receive.” The left side, 辶 (chuò), is the “walk” radical, indicating movement. The right side, 卬 (áng), originally depicted a person looking up, representing the act of facing and receiving something or someone.
• Combined Meaning: The characters literally combine to mean “to joyfully go out and meet” someone. This beautiful combination perfectly captures the enthusiastic and happy spirit of welcoming a guest.

Hospitality (好客 - hàokè) is a cornerstone of Chinese culture, and 欢迎 (huānyíng) is its primary verbal expression. The act of welcoming a guest is often more elaborate and significant than in many Western cultures. It's not just a polite formality; it's an act that gives the guest “face” (面子 - miànzi) and demonstrates the host's warmth (热情 - rèqíng) and sincerity. In the West, “Welcome” can be a very casual greeting, like a shopkeeper saying it as you enter. While this happens in China with the phrase `欢迎光临 (huānyíng guānglín)`, a personal welcome is often more involved. Inviting someone to your home means you are expected to be a gracious host, providing food, tea, and making the guest feel completely comfortable and honored. The quality of your welcome reflects on your personal and family honor. Therefore, saying “欢迎” is not just a word, but the beginning of a social ritual that reinforces relationships and social harmony.

欢迎 (huānyíng) is used in a wide array of modern contexts, from formal to informal.

• Greeting Guests: This is the most common use. When someone arrives at your home, office, or a party, you would greet them with “欢迎, 欢迎!” (huānyíng, huānyíng!). In commercial settings like shops and restaurants, you'll constantly hear and see `欢迎光临` (huānyíng guānglín), which means “Welcome, [your] esteemed presence.”
• Formal Events and Speeches: At conferences, ceremonies, or meetings, a speaker will often begin by welcoming the attendees. For example, “我们热烈欢迎各位代表” (Wǒmen rèliè huānyíng gèwèi dàibiǎo - We warmly welcome all the delegates).
• Written Language and Signs: You will see 欢迎 on signs everywhere: at airports (“欢迎来到北京” - Welcome to Beijing), on company websites (“欢迎加入我们” - Welcome to join us), and on doormats.
• Figurative Invitations: It can also be used to mean “you are welcome to…” or “we welcome…” in a figurative sense. For example, “我们欢迎不同的意见” (Wǒmen huānyíng bùtóng de yìjiàn - We welcome different opinions).

• Example 1:
  • 欢迎来到我家！
  • Pinyin: Huānyíng lái dào wǒ jiā!
  • English: Welcome to my home!
  • Analysis: A classic, warm phrase used to greet a guest arriving at your house. It's friendly and sincere.
• Example 2:
  • 商店门口写着“欢迎光临”。
  • Pinyin: Shāngdiàn ménkǒu xiě zhe “huānyíng guānglín”.
  • English: The shop entrance has “Welcome” written on it.
  • Analysis: `欢迎光临 (huānyíng guānglín)` is a set phrase for businesses. `光临 (guānglín)` literally means “to grace with your presence,” making it a very polite and common commercial greeting.
• Example 3:
  • 我们非常欢迎你的加入。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen fēicháng huānyíng nǐ de jiārù.
  • English: We really welcome you joining us.
  • Analysis: Used to welcome a new member to a team, company, or club. `加入 (jiārù)` means “to join.”
• Example 4:
  • 欢迎大家来参加我的生日派对。
  • Pinyin: Huānyíng dàjiā lái cānjiā wǒ de shēngrì pàiduì.
  • English: Everyone is welcome to come to my birthday party.
  • Analysis: Here, `欢迎` functions as an open invitation to a group of people (`大家` - dàjiā).
• Example 5:
  • 老师欢迎学生们提问。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī huānyíng xuéshēngmen tíwèn.
  • English: The teacher welcomes students to ask questions.
  • Analysis: This shows the figurative use of `欢迎`, indicating encouragement and openness to an action (`提问` - tíwèn, to ask a question).
• Example 6:
  • 欢迎您再次光临！
  • Pinyin: Huānyíng nín zàicì guānglín!
  • English: We welcome you to visit again! / Please come again!
  • Analysis: A polite phrase said by shopkeepers or restaurant staff as a customer is leaving. `您 (nín)` is the formal “you” and `再次 (zàicì)` means “again.”
• Example 7:
  • 这个城市欢迎所有游客。
  • Pinyin: Zhège chéngshì huānyíng suǒyǒu yóukè.
  • English: This city welcomes all tourists.
  • Analysis: A general statement about a place's attitude. Often seen in tourism materials.
• Example 8:
  • 他对我们的建议表示欢迎。
  • Pinyin: Tā duì wǒmen de jiànyì biǎoshì huānyíng.
  • English: He expressed a welcome for our suggestions.
  • Analysis: A more formal and abstract use. `表示欢迎 (biǎoshì huānyíng)` means “to express a welcome.”
• Example 9:
  • 欢迎，欢迎！快请进！
  • Pinyin: Huānyíng, huānyíng! Kuài qǐng jìn!
  • English: Welcome, welcome! Please come in quickly!
  • Analysis: Repeating `欢迎` adds emphasis and enthusiasm. This is very common in spoken, informal greetings.
• Example 10:
  • 我们欢迎任何形式的合作。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen huānyíng rènhé xíngshì de hézuò.
  • English: We welcome any form of cooperation.
  • Analysis: A common phrase in a business context, showing openness to partnership. `合作 (hézuò)` means cooperation.

• The Biggest Mistake: Using it for “You're Welcome”
  • This is the most common error for English speakers. In English, “welcome” is both a greeting and a response to “thank you.” In Chinese, 欢迎 (huānyíng) is ONLY a greeting.
  • Incorrect:
    • A: 谢谢你！(Xièxie nǐ! - Thank you!)
    • B: 欢迎。 (Huānyíng. - WRONG!)
  • Correct:
    • A: 谢谢你！(Xièxie nǐ! - Thank you!)
    • B: 不客气。 (Bú kèqi. - You're welcome / Don't be so polite.) or 不用谢。 (Búyòng xiè. - No need for thanks.)
• “Welcoming an idea” vs. “Agreeing with an idea”
  • Saying `我欢迎这个想法 (Wǒ huānyíng zhège xiǎngfǎ)` means “I welcome this idea” in the sense that you are open to discussing it and hearing more. It does not necessarily mean you agree with it. It shows an open and receptive attitude.

• 光临 (guānglín) - To be present (as an honored guest); to grace with your presence. Almost always used with 欢迎 in the set phrase `欢迎光临`.
• 迎接 (yíngjiē) - To meet; to greet; to welcome. This implies a more active form of welcoming, such as going to the airport or train station to pick someone up.
• 接待 (jiēdài) - To receive or entertain a guest or visitor. This refers to the entire process of hosting someone, including arranging accommodation and activities, not just the initial greeting.
• 好客 (hàokè) - Hospitable; to enjoy having guests. An adjective used to describe a person, a people, or a culture that is very welcoming.
• 热情 (rèqíng) - Enthusiasm; warmth; passion. This is the feeling a good host should show when welcoming someone with `欢迎`.
• 不客气 (bú kèqi) - “You're welcome.” The correct response to “thank you.” Its literal meaning is “don't be polite,” which highlights the cultural value of not creating distance through excessive formality.
• 请进 (qǐng jìn) - “Please come in.” Often said immediately after `欢迎` when greeting someone at a door.