How To Say “You’re Welcome” In Different Languages

Blog
25 May 2023
By Sarah Angela Almaden
Japanese House
Unsplash: Jon Ly

You can respond to "thank you" in several ways, and one of them is by saying "you're welcome." The best thing about saying “you’re welcome” is that it rolls off your tongue easily. You’re welcome. You’re welcome. You’re welcome. You’re welcome. Notice how this human auto-response is spelled with “you’re” instead of “your,” that’s because “you’re welcome” is a contraction of “you are welcome.”

The word “welcome” comes from the Old English word “wilcuma” — meaning a desired guest. By the Middle Ages, the word was then used to describe something agreeable. In the 15th century, the term was added to invitations that express respect and appreciation. And, four hundred years later, the statement became well-known as the go-to response to thank-yous. In some cases today, a “you’re welcome” is even remarked as a sassy saying or a gloat. But, that doesn’t matter because however you want to use it is up to you. Just remember though, that the essence behind this timeless phrase is all about recognizing gratitude.

    • English: You’re welcome (you’re welcome)
    • French: Je vous en prie (jeh vous ehn pree)
    • Japanese: どういたしまして (Dōitashimashite)
    • Mandarin Chinese: 不客气 (Bù kèqì)
    • Dutch: Graag gedaan (krak kedaan)
    • Spanish: De nada (de nada)
    • Portuguese: De nada (je nada)
    • German: Gern geschehen (gern geshehen)
    • Swedish: Varsågod (vasago)
    • Norwegian: Værsågod (varsago)
    • Hindi: आपका स्वागत है (aapaka svaagat hai)
    • Turkish: Rica ederim (rija ederim)
    • Greek: Παρακαλώ (parakaló)
    • Finnish: Ole hyvä (oleh hehva)
    • Polish: Proszę (proshe) / Nie ma za co (nye ma tza tso)
    • Italian: Prego (prehgoh)
    • Swahili: Karibu (karibu)
    • Afrikaans: Dit is 'n plesier (dit is in plesier)
    • Russian: Пожалуйста (pozhaluysta)
    • Ukrainian: Прошу (proshu)
    • Tagalog: Walang anuman (walang anuman)
    • Danish: Det var så lidt (det var sa lit)
    • Indonesian: Sama-sama (sama-sama)