欢迎光临 (huānyíng guānglín), meaning “welcome,” is a four-character idiom commonly used in Chinese to greet guests or customers. Let’s break down the original meaning of each character:

• 欢 (huān): This character originally depicted a bird singing joyfully. It represents joy, happiness, and delight.

• 迎 (yíng): This character originally depicted a hand reaching out to receive someone. It signifies welcoming, greeting, or receiving.

• 光 (guāng): This character originally depicted fire, representing brightness, light, and honor.

• 临 (lín): This character originally depicted a person standing on a high place and looking down. It signifies arriving, coming, or being present.

Therefore, combining these elements, the original structure of 欢迎光临 paints a picture of “joyfully greeting the arrival of an honored guest.” It conveys a sense of warmth, enthusiasm, and respect towards the person being welcomed.

This idiom beautifully captures the essence of hospitality in Chinese culture, expressing a genuine desire to make guests feel comfortable and appreciated.