Readings: ゲイ (Onyomi), むかえる (Kunyomi)
Meaning: to welcome, to meet, to greet, to receive, to go out to meet
The kanji 迎 combines the radical 辶 (shinnyou), representing movement or road, with the component 卯 (u), which phonetically suggests “to face” or “to receive.” Together, it conveys the idea of going out to meet or welcome someone/something.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 迎 has 7 strokes. It starts with the “shinnyou” radical, which is typically written last. First, write the component on the right side, beginning with the top stroke, then the box-like structure, and finally the inner stroke. After completing the right side, draw the “shinnyou” radical, starting with the two dots, then the long, sweeping stroke.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 辶 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 6 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ゲイ (GEI)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- むかえる (mukaeru)
Common Words Using 迎
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 歓迎 | かんげい | welcome |
| 送迎 | そうげい | sending off and meeting; pick-up and drop-off |
| 迎春 | げいしゅん | welcoming spring (New Year’s greeting) |
| 迎合 | げいごう | pandering; catering to |
| 迎撃 | げいげき | interception |
| 迎賓 | げいひん | receiving guests |
| 迎日 | げいじつ | welcoming the day/sun |
| 迎風 | げいふう | headwind |
| 迎光 | げいこう | welcoming light |
| 新迎 | しんげい | new welcome |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 迎える | むかえる | to welcome; to meet; to greet; to receive |
| 出迎える | でむかえる | to go out to meet; to pick up |
| 迎え入れる | むかえいれる | to receive; to usher in; to take in |
| 迎えに行く | むかえにいく | to go to pick up |
| 迎えに来る | むかえにくる | to come to pick up |
| 迎えの車 | むかえのくるま | pick-up car/vehicle |
| 迎え火 | むかえび | welcoming fire (for Obon) |
| 迎え風 | むかえかぜ | headwind |
| 迎え撃つ | むかえうつ | to intercept; to meet and defeat |
| 迎え酒 | むかえざけ | hair of the dog (drink to cure a hangover) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: お客様を笑顔で迎えた。
Kana: おきゃくさまをえがおでむかえた。
Romaji: Okkyaku-sama o egao de mukaeta.
English: I welcomed the guests with a smile.
Japanese: 空港に友達を迎えに行った。
Kana: くうこうにともだちをむかえにいった。
Romaji: Kūkō ni tomodachi o mukae ni itta.
English: I went to the airport to pick up my friend.
Japanese: 新年を迎える準備をしている。
Kana: しんねんをむかえるじゅんびをしている。
Romaji: Shinnen o mukaeru junbi o shite iru.
English: I am preparing to welcome the New Year.
Japanese: 彼らは私たちを温かく歓迎してくれた。
Kana: かれらはわたしたちをあたたかくかんげいしてくれた。
Romaji: Karera wa watashitachi o atatakaku kangei shite kureta.
English: They gave us a warm welcome.
Japanese: 駅まで車で迎えに行こうか？
Kana: えきまでくるまでむかえにいこうか？
Romaji: Eki made kuruma de mukae ni ikou ka?
English: Shall I go pick you up at the station by car?
Japanese: 彼の意見はいつも大衆に迎合している。
Kana: かれのいけんはいろんなたいしゅうにげいごうしている。
Romaji: Kare no iken wa itsumo taishuu ni geigō shite iru.
English: His opinions always pander to the masses.
Japanese: 卒業生を盛大に迎えました。
Kana: そつぎょうせいをせいだいにむかえました。
Romaji: Sotsugyōsei o seidai ni mukaemashita.
English: We grandly welcomed the graduating students.
Japanese: 人生の新しい段階を迎える。
Kana: じんせいのあたらしいだんかいをむかえる。
Romaji: Jinsei no atarashii dankai o mukaeru.
English: To enter a new phase of life.
Japanese: 海外からの訪問客を迎え入れる。
Kana: かいがいからのほうもんきゃくをむかえいれる。
Romaji: Kaigai kara no hōmonkyaku o mukaeireru.
English: To receive visitors from overseas.
Japanese: チームは強敵を迎え撃つ準備をしている。
Kana: チームはきょうてきをむかえうつじゅんびをしている。
Romaji: Chīmu wa kyōteki o mukaeutsu junbi o shite iru.
English: The team is preparing to intercept (or face and defeat) a strong opponent.
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