Inklingo

How to Say "welcome" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “welcome” is “bienvenido” — use 'bienvenido' when expressing that something or someone is received with pleasure, often as a general statement..

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bienvenido

/byen-beh-NEE-doh//bjem.beˈni.ðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'bienvenido' when expressing that something or someone is received with pleasure, often as a general statement.
A small, friendly puppy being surrounded and happily petted by several smiling children in a sunny, grassy park.

Examples

Toda ayuda financiera es bienvenida en este momento.

All financial help is welcome at this moment.

Los nuevos estudiantes se sintieron bienvendos en el campus.

The new students felt welcome on campus.

Una tregua sería una noticia muy bienvenida en la región.

A truce would be very welcome news in the region.

Use with Ser/Estar

This adjective is almost always used with the verb 'ser' (to be) when describing something that is generally accepted, or 'estar' (to be) to describe the temporary state of feeling welcomed: 'El cambio es bienvenido' (The change is welcome); 'Estoy bienvenido' (I feel welcome).

recibir

reh-see-BEER/re.siˈβiɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'recibir' when you are actively greeting someone or receiving them into a place or group, often with a specific action.
A person warmly welcoming a visitor at a doorway with an outstretched hand and a friendly smile.

Examples

La familia me recibió con los brazos abiertos.

The family welcomed me with open arms.

El presidente recibirá a la delegación mañana.

The president will receive (host) the delegation tomorrow.

Abrimos la puerta para recibir a los clientes.

We open the door to welcome the customers.

Personal 'A'

When 'recibir' is used to welcome a specific person or group, you must use the 'personal A' directly before the name or description of the people being welcomed: 'recibir a los amigos'.

Confusing 'Host' with 'Organize'

Mistake: “Recibimos la conferencia anual en nuestro hotel.”

Correction: Albergamos la conferencia anual en nuestro hotel. ('Recibir' means hosting people, not necessarily hosting the entire organized event.)

reciba

/re-SEE-ba//reˈsiβa/

verbB1general
Use 'reciba' (the subjunctive form of 'recibir') when you are expressing a hope or wish that someone will receive something or be received.
A child with open arms looking up hopefully as a single golden leaf falls from the sky.

Examples

Espero que ella reciba mi mensaje pronto.

I hope she receives my message soon.

Es posible que yo reciba el paquete hoy.

It is possible that I will receive the package today.

No creo que él reciba una invitación.

I don't think he will receive an invitation.

The 'Hope' and 'Doubt' Form

Use 'reciba' instead of 'recibe' when the action isn't a guaranteed fact, like after saying 'I hope' (Espero que) or 'It's possible' (Es posible que).

Shared Form

This word is identical for 'I' (yo), 'he/she' (él/ella), and 'you-formal' (usted). Use the person's name or a pronoun if the context isn't clear.

Using the wrong 'e' or 'a'

Mistake: “Espero que él recibe el dinero.”

Correction: Espero que él reciba el dinero.

llegado

/yeh-GAH-doh//ʝeˈɣaðo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'bien llegado' as a set phrase to specifically welcome someone upon their arrival.
A sturdy brown delivery box resting securely on a welcome mat in front of a house door, representing an 'arrived' package.

Examples

El tren llegado de París está en el andén 2.

The train (that has) arrived from Paris is on platform 2.

Todos los pasajeros recién llegados deben ir a la aduana.

All newly arrived passengers must go to customs.

La carta llegada ayer contenía buenas noticias.

The letter that arrived yesterday contained good news.

Adjectives Must Match

When 'llegado' is used to describe something, it acts like any other adjective and must match the thing it describes. It can change to 'llegada' (for feminine things), 'llegados' (for plural masculine), or 'llegadas' (for plural feminine).

Forgetting to Match

Mistake: “La gente llegado de otros países...”

Correction: La gente llegada de otros países... Because 'la gente' (the people) is a feminine word, the adjective must also be feminine: 'llegada'.

venido

/beh-NEE-doh//beˈni.ðo/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'venido' in phrases like 'recién venido' to describe someone who has recently arrived, often implying they are new to a place.
A smiling host opens a door wide, extending a hand to warmly welcome a guest who is holding a small travel bag.

Examples

El recién venido no conocía a nadie.

The newcomer (literally: the recently come one) didn't know anyone.

Eres bien venido a esta casa.

You are welcome in this house.

Las recién venidas están buscando el hotel.

The (female) newcomers are looking for the hotel.

Matching the Noun

When 'venido' is used like an adjective to describe something, it has to match! It changes to 'venida' for feminine things, 'venidos' for masculine plural, and 'venidas' for feminine plural.

Confusing with 'bienvenido'

Mistake: “Using 'bien venido' (two words) all the time for 'welcome'.”

Correction: The single word 'bienvenido' is much more common for 'welcome'. Use 'bien venido' (two words) when you want to emphasize 'well come' or in more formal writing. Most of the time, you'll want '¡Bienvenido!'.

Bienvenido vs. Recibir

Learners often confuse 'bienvenido' (an adjective meaning 'welcome' as in 'received happily') with 'recibir' (a verb meaning 'to receive' or 'to greet'). Remember that 'bienvenido' describes the state of being welcome, while 'recibir' describes the action of welcoming or receiving someone.

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