Formal — to stranger
Cultural · Greeting
お久しぶりです。海外赴任から戻ってまいりました。 — It's been a while. I've returned from my overseas assignment. (Cultural · Greeting, Formal — to stranger, JLPT N3)
You
お久しぶりです。海外赴任から戻ってまいりました。
おひさしぶりです。かいがいふにんからもどってまいりました。
It's been a while. I've returned from my overseas assignment.
Romaji: Ohisashiburi desu. Kaigai-funin kara modotte mairimashita. / Reply Romaji: Okaeri nasai. Nagai aida otsukare-sama deshita.
Reply
お帰りなさい。長い間お疲れさまでした。
おかえりなさい。ながいあいだおつかれさまでした。
Welcome back. Thank you for all your hard work over there.
Gesture & etiquette
Warm smile with slight bow (15°). Present omiyage from the overseas country with both hands. Have a few stories ready about the assignment but don't dominate conversation — ask what's been new at home too.
Repatriation greeting after overseas assignment. 'まいりました' (humble return) signals you understand the favor of being welcomed back. Common cultural pivots: family/colleagues will ask about food, weather, language struggles. Bring a small お土産 (souvenir) from the assignment country for the team. Re-adjustment to Japanese workplace norms can take weeks — be patient.