Translation and Meaning of: いらっしゃる - irasharu

If you have already studied Japanese, you have probably encountered いらっしゃる at some point. This versatile little word — which can mean "to be," "to come," or "to go" — is essential for anyone who wants to sound polite in the language. But behind this apparent simplicity lies a rich history and specific uses that many students take time to master. In this article, we will explore everything from etymology to practical memorization tips, not forgetting the pictogram that represents it when written in kanji. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, get ready to jot down useful examples!

What many people don't know is that いらっしゃる is not just another movement verb. It carries cultural weight, frequently appearing in formal situations or when addressing superiors. Have you ever wondered why store attendants in Japan repeat this word so often? Or how to differentiate it from other similar ? Here, in addition to answering that, we will uncover even a curious pun that the Japanese love to use in their daily lives.

Etymology and Origin of いらっしゃる

The historical journey of いらっしゃる begins in ancient Japan, derived from the verb いらす, an archaic form that already carried the meaning of "being present." Over time, the language underwent phonetic transformations, and the term gained the honorific suffix ～ある, common in respectful expressions. It is no surprise that today it is classified as 尊敬語 (sonkeigo), the language of reverence used to elevate the status of the interlocutor.

It's interesting to note that, although it is often written in hiragana, いらっしゃる has an official kanji: いらっしゃる【入らっしゃる】. The character 入 (to enter) appears in its old form, reinforcing the idea of "entering a space." But be careful: this kanji is extremely rare in practice! Japanese people prefer to avoid confusion and opt for the hiragana writing instead, especially in informal contexts or when typing.

Practical Use in Japanese Daily Life

Imagine entering a department store in Tokyo and hearing a resounding "いらっしゃいませ！". This ubiquitous greeting—equivalent to "Welcome!"—is just the tip of the iceberg. The verb shines in situations where respect is crucial: when inviting someone of higher status ("社長が会議にいらっしゃいました" — The president has come to the meeting), or when politely inquiring about someone's presence ("先生はいらっしゃいますか？" — Is the teacher here?).

A common mistake among students is trying to use いらっしゃる for themselves. : this is a word exclusive to other people, never for the speaker! If you say "わたしは明日東京にいらっしゃいます", it will sound as strange as a Brazilian saying "Your Excellency goes to the market to buy bread". For one's own actions, the correct would be to use humble forms like 参る (mairu) or neutral ones like 行く (iku).

Memory Tips and Curiosities

Want an unbeatable trick? Associate いらっしゃる with the sound of sliding doors. The quick and smooth pronunciation resembles the characteristic noise of shop entrances — precisely where this word is most often heard! Another technique is to create absurd sentences: visualize your boss entering an elevator and saying "いらっしゃい" to the button for the 10th floor. The more bizarre, the more your brain retains it.

In the universe of puns, the Japanese love to play with the similarity between いらっしゃる and いらっしゃい (irasshai), the imperative form used to invite people. There is even a classic joke in restaurants: when a customer takes too long to decide, the waiter might say "いらっしゃるものをいらっしゃい" (something like "Please come [decide] what you are [going to eat]"), creating a wordplay that mixes politeness and humor.