How do you say Welcome in German?
The most common way to say “welcome” in German is Willkommen!. Here are the main options, when to use each, and how to pronounce them.
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Willkommen!
vil-KOM-en
The standard word: signs, websites, greeting guests.
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Herzlich willkommen!
HAIRTS-likh vil-KOM-en
“A warm welcome.” The usual way to welcome someone in person.
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Willkommen zurück!
vil-KOM-en tsoo-RÜK
“Welcome back!”
Use it in a sentence
- Welcome to Germany!Willkommen in Deutschland!
- Welcome, dear guests!Herzlich willkommen, liebe Gäste!
- Welcome to the team!Willkommen im Team!
- You are always welcome here.Du bist hier immer willkommen.
Good to know
Welcome to a place is usually willkommen in, which becomes im before masculine and neuter nouns: Willkommen in Berlin, Willkommen im Hotel. For a company or someone’s home, use bei: Willkommen bei uns.
The reply to “thank you” is bitte or gern geschehen, not willkommen. See you’re welcome in German.
Willkommen takes a capital only at the start of a sentence. In herzlich willkommen it stays lowercase.