What does "tadaima" and "okaeri" mean

Paired phrases of return

What does "tadaima" literally mean

ただいま is "right now", a contraction of ただいま帰りました ("I just returned"). The same word in another context means "this very moment": ただいま準備中 — "preparation is currently underway". At the door, only the beginning of the full phrase remains.

Where else these phrases are heard

• At the office: returning from a meeting, one says ただいま戻りました, and colleagues respond お疲れ様です.
• In stores and cafes, ただいま means "now, at this moment" — the same word in its original meaning.
• At home, the phrase is said even if no one is there: it's an address to the house, not to people.
• The pair いってきます — いってらっしゃい works the same way and is said when leaving the house.
• What not to do: don't respond to ただいま with こんにちは — the paired phrase is required.

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Why it's said even in an empty apartment

The phrase is not only addressed to household members: it marks the transition from the outside world into one's own space. That's why it's said out of habit even when alone — just as in Russian one might sigh "well, I'm home".

FAQ

What does "tadaima" mean?

ただいま — "I'm back", a contraction of ただいま帰りました. In another context, it means "right now".

What do you reply to "tadaima"?

おかえり ("welcome back"), politely — お帰りなさい.

And what do you say when leaving home?

いってきます ("I'm leaving and will come back"), the response is いってらっしゃい.

Do you say "tadaima" if no one is home?

Yes. The phrase marks returning to one's own space, not addressing a specific person.