よろしくお願いします
yoroshiku onegaishimasu
The English phrase "best wishes" can be translated into Japanese as よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu).
よろしくお願いします is a polite expression used to request someone's help or cooperation in a future relationship. It is commonly used at the end of introductions, at the end of emails or when starting a new project with someone to express a desire for a good relationship.
What does it mean word for word?
The adverb よろしく literally means "well" or "suitably", implying a desire for things to go well.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While よろしくお願いします is polite, you can make the phrase much more formal by using よろしくお願いいたします. Replacing shimasu with itashimasu makes it appropriate for business settings or when speaking to superiors.
How do you pronounce it?
yoroshiku onegaishimasu
When do people say it?
Note that while よろしくお願いします is used for establishing relationships, other phrases serve different purposes: Kouun o inorimasu is used to say "I pray for your good fortune" and Ganbatte ne is used to say "do your best" or "good luck".
Did you know?
- The phrase relies on the concept of 'onegai', which comes from the verb 'negau' meaning 'to wish' or 'to pray', framing your request as a spiritual hope for a good outcome.
- In some contexts, よろしくお願いします is used as a greeting to signal the start of a sports match or a martial arts session.
- If someone says よろしくお願いします to you, a common and polite response is to repeat the phrase back to them.
Examples in context
- Tanaka-san no mirai ga akarukute shiawase de arimasu you ni o-inorishimasu (田中さんの未来が明るくて幸せでありますようにお祈りします)I pray that Mr./Ms. Tanaka's future is bright and filled with happiness.
- Kokoro kara no yorokobi to kibou o o-inorishimasu (心からの喜びと希望をお祈りします)I pray for joy and hope from the bottom of my heart.
- よろしくお願いします。Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Best wishes (in our future relationship/cooperation).
- これからよろしくお願いします。Korekara yoroshiku onegaishimasu.I look forward to working with you from now on.
- 改めてよろしくお願いします。Aratamete yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Best wishes once again (formally).
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are meeting for the first time at a new job.
- 美咲 Misakiはじめまして、美咲です。よろしくお願いします。hajimemashite, Misaki desu. yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Nice to meet you, I'm Misaki. I look forward to working with you.
- 健太 Kenta健太です。こちらこそよろしくお願いします。Kenta desu. kochirakoso yoroshiku onegaishimasu.I'm Kenta. I look forward to working with you as well.
- 美咲 Misaki分からないことがあれば、教えてください。wakaranai koto ga areba, oshiete kudasai.Please help me if there is anything I don't understand.
- 健太 Kentaもちろんです。一緒に頑張りましょう。mochiron desu. issho ni ganbarimashou.Of course. Let's do our best together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry よろしくお願いします, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
