よろしくお伝えください
yoroshiku otsutae kudasai
The English phrase "send my regards" can be expressed in Japanese as よろしくお伝えください (yoroshiku otsutae kudasai).
This phrase is used when you are speaking to Person A, but want them to give your greetings to Person B.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "Please convey [it] favorably/well".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form よろしくお伝えください is a polite and standard way to ask someone to pass on your greetings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the polite imperative form 'kudasai' (please) and the humble/polite verb 'otsutae' (to convey).
How do you pronounce it?
yoroshiku otsutae kudasai
Did you know?
- The word yoroshiku is so central to Japanese social glue that it is often used to 'send regards' to people the speaker has never even met, as a way of requesting a favorable first impression.
- Even though 'yoroshiku' is used here to pass on greetings, it is also the standard way to say 'nice to meet you' when meeting someone for the first time.
- Because the phrase uses the polite 'kudasai', it functions as a soft command. In Japanese culture, this directness is masked by the polite grammatical structure to ensure the request feels like a respectful favor.
Examples in context
- 失礼 (しつれい) ですが、〇〇さんによろしくお伝えください。Excuse me, but please pass on my regards to Mr./Ms. OO.
- 〇〇さんに、温かいご挨拶をお伝えください。Please convey my warm regards to Mr./Ms. OO.
- 〇〇さんによろしく伝えてね。Please give my regards to Mr./Ms. OO.
- 田中さんに、よろしくお伝えください。Tanaka-san ni, yoroshiku otsutae kudasai.Please send my regards to Mr. Tanaka.
- ご両親に、よろしくお伝えください。Goryoushin ni, yoroshiku otsutae kudasai.Please give my best regards to your parents.
- 先生に、よろしくお伝えください。Sensei ni, yoroshiku otsutae kudasai.Please convey my regards to the teacher.
Example conversation
Misaki is talking to Ren before he heads home to visit his family.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さん、今日はお疲れ様でした。Ren-san, kyou wa otsukaresama deshita.Ren, thank you for your hard work today.
- 蓮 Renありがとうございます。では、失礼します。Arigatou gozaimasu. Dewa, shitsurei shimasu.Thank you. Well, excuse me (I'll be going now).
- 美咲 Misakiご家族に、よろしくお伝えください。Gokazoku ni, yoroshiku otsutae kudasai.Please send my regards to your family.
- 蓮 Renはい、伝えておきます。Hai, tsutaete okimasu.Yes, I will tell them.
