German · Greetings & Essentials

"Welcome!" in German: willkommen

willkommen

Say it: vil-KOM-meninterjection/vɪlˈkɔmən/

Welcome in German is willkommen. Say Willkommen! or Herzlich willkommen. Du bist willkommen means you are welcome to join — different from Bitte after thanks.

At the door

Willkommen! Komm rein.
Welcome! Come in.
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How to pronounce willkommen

Say it

vil-KOM-men

/vɪlˈkɔmən/

vil-KOM-men. Soft w as v. Stress -kom-.

"Welcome!" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
willkommenwelcome

Default greeting word.

Herzlich willkommena warm welcome

Formal/friendly welcome.

Willkommen zu Hausewelcome home

Homecoming.

du bist willkommenyou are welcome (to come)

Invitation sense.

How to use willkommen in real life

  1. 1At the door

    Willkommen! Komm rein.

    Welcome! Come in.

    Willkommen.

  2. 2Event

    Herzlich willkommen zu unserem Abend.

    A warm welcome to our evening.

    Herzlich willkommen.

  3. 3Home

    Willkommen zu Hause, endlich!

    Welcome home at last!

    Willkommen zu Hause.

Mistakes English speakers make with willkommen

Incorrect: Bitte after thanks as this page’s welcome

Correct: Willkommen

Bitte/gern geschehen answer thanks; willkommen greets arrivals.

Incorrect: welcome auf Deutsch: welcome

Correct: willkommen

Use willkommen.

Good to know

Stores and hotels put Willkommen on mats and signs. After danke, reply with Bitte or Gern geschehen, not willkommen.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Hosting friends

  1. ChatPal

    Willkommen bei uns!

    Welcome to our place!

  2. You

    Dankewillkommen fühlt sich gut an.

    Thanks — welcome feels good.

  3. ChatPal

    Herzlich willkommen, setzt euch.

    A warm welcome, have a seat.

  4. You

    Schön, so willkommen zu sein.

    Nice to be so welcome.

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"Welcome!" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Welcome!" in German

How do you say welcome?

Willkommen.

Warm welcome?

Herzlich willkommen.

Welcome home?

Willkommen zu Hause.

Reply to thanks?

Bitte / gern geschehen — not willkommen.

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