welcome

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is げい, and the kun reading is むかえる. It has 7 strokes and relates to welcoming, meeting, or picking someone up.
• Basic usage: 迎える is read むかえる, and 歓迎 is read かんげい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 迎える / 歓迎
  • 迎える means welcome or pick up and is read むかえる. It describes the concrete act of welcoming someone or going to pick them up.
  • 玄関で客を迎えるため、花を飾った。 means “I decorated the entrance with flowers to welcome the guests.”
  • 歓迎 means welcome and is read かんげい. It refers to warmly welcoming a new person or accepting applicants.
  • 新しい仲間を拍手で歓迎した。 means “We welcomed our new colleague with applause.”