Korean Dictionary
How to say "Welcome (Shop)" in Korean
“Welcome (Shop)” in Korean is 어서 오세요 (pronounced "Eoseo Oseyo").
어서 오세요
Eoseo Oseyo
Usage & Context
어서 오세요 is the standard greeting heard when entering any Korean shop, restaurant, or business. It means 'please come in quickly' or 'welcome.' Shop staff say this to greet all entering customers as a sign of hospitality.
Example Sentence
가게에 들어서자 직원이 어서 오세요라고 했어요.
As I entered the shop, the staff said welcome.
How to use 어서 오세요 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Welcome (Shop)” is 어서 오세요, romanized as Eoseo Oseyo.
Usage tip
Check the politeness level before using this word. Korean greetings often change depending on age, relationship, and setting.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 어서 오세요.
What learners usually mean by “Welcome (Shop) in Korean”
This query is usually about the shop or restaurant greeting, not the reply after someone says thank you.
Real usage
어서 오세요 is the standard customer-facing welcome. Staff say it when someone enters. 환영합니다 is more formal and appears in events, signs, and official messages.
Avoid this mistake
Do not use 어서 오세요 for 'you're welcome.' That is a different English meaning and needs phrases like 아니에요 or 별말씀을요.
Better pattern
Use 어서 오세요 in shops and restaurants, 어서 와 with close friends, and 환영합니다 for formal welcomes.
shop or cafe greeting
어서 오세요. 주문하시겠어요?
Welcome. Would you like to order?
formal welcome
저희 학교에 오신 것을 환영합니다.
Welcome to our school.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'uh-saw oh-say-yo' — 'eoseo' has two soft 'uh' vowels (like the 'u' in 'sun'), and 'oseyo' flows like 'oh-say-yo.' Koreans usually say it quickly, almost as one word: 'uh-saw-oh-say-yo.'
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
어서 오십시오
eo-seo o-sip-si-o
Ultra-formal version used in hotels, airlines, and high-end department stores
Casual (반말)
어서 와
eo-seo wa
Casual form meaning 'come on in,' used to greet friends or family at home
More Example Sentences
a restaurant host greeting you at the door
어서 오세요, 몇 분이세요?
Welcome, how many people in your party?
a boutique clerk greeting a customer
어서 오세요, 찾으시는 거 있으세요?
Welcome, are you looking for anything in particular?
greeting a close friend at your apartment
어서 와, 오래 기다렸지?
Welcome, you waited a long time, didn't you?
Cultural Context
Walk into any convenience store, café, or clothing shop in Korea and you'll hear a bright 어서 오세요 within a second of the door chime — it's so automatic that some staff barely look up. High-end department stores like 현대백화점 and 신세계 drill their staff to use the extra-formal 어서 오십시오 with a slight bow. K-drama fans will recognize the reverse greeting 어서 와, 한국은 처음이지? ('Welcome, is this your first time in Korea?'), which became a popular variety show title.
Editorial note
We check greetings like 어서 오세요 for politeness and timing, since Korean greetings change with relationship, age, and setting.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
어서 오세요!
Welcome!
어서 오세요, 몇 분이세요?
Welcome, how many people?
어서 오세요, 편하게 둘러보세요.
Welcome, feel free to look around.
Related Expressions
환영합니다
hwan-yeong-ham-ni-da
welcome (formal, for official events)
안녕하세요
an-nyeong-ha-se-yo
hello
들어오세요
deu-reo-o-se-yo
please come in
또 오세요
tto o-se-yo
please come again
More Greetings Words
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