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道Nihongo Path
迎

迎·welcome, go to meet

On-yomi
ゲイ
Kun-yomi
むかえる

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

7 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
迎えるむかえるto welcome, to greet, to go and meet
歓迎かんげいwelcome, warm reception
迎えに行くむかえにいくto go pick someone up
送迎そうげいpick-up and drop-off

Example sentences

  1. 駅まで友だちを迎えに行きます。

    えきまでともだちをむかえにいきます。

    I'm going to the station to pick up my friend.

  2. 新しい社員を歓迎する会がありました。

    あたらしいしゃいんをかんげいするかいがありました。

    There was a party to welcome the new employees.

  3. 来月、五十歳の誕生日を迎えます。

    らいげつ、ごじゅっさいのたんじょうびをむかえます。

    Next month I turn fifty.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 歓迎 as *かんむかえ instead of かんげい
  • Using 迎える when you simply meet someone by chance — that is 会う; 迎える is going out to receive them

Memory aid

Picture it

The road radical 辶 with a figure bowing — you travel out along the road to bow someone in.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 迎 mean?