よろしくお願いします

• Reading: よろしくおねがいします
• Romaji: yoroshiku onegai shimasu
• Pronunciation: /jo.ɾo.ɕi.kɯ.o.ne.ɡa.i.ɕi.ma.sɯ/

Meaning

Please take care of it / Nice to meet you / I look forward to working with you — one of the most important Japanese social phrases.

よろしくお願いします is untranslatable in a single English phrase because it covers so many social functions: self-introductions, requests, closing business emails, expressing hope for a good working relationship, and asking for someone's cooperation. It is the social glue of Japanese interpersonal relationships, conveying humility, respect, and mutual obligation all at once.

Examples

1. 初めまして、田中と申します。よろしくお願いします。 Nice to meet you, my name is Tanaka. I look forward to getting to know you.
2. この件、よろしくお願いします。 I'd appreciate your help with this matter.
3. 今後ともよろしくお願いします。 I look forward to your continued support.

Usage Guide

Context: self-introductions, business, requests, email closings, daily life

Tone: respectful, humble, polite

Do Say

• はじめまして、よろしくお願いします (Nice to meet you, pleased to make your acquaintance)
• ご確認のほど、よろしくお願いします (I would appreciate your confirmation on this)

Don't Say

• 英語で直訳しようとしない — 状況に応じて訳が変わる (Don't try to directly translate this to English — the translation changes depending on the situation)

Common Mistakes

• Thinking よろしくお願いします only means 'nice to meet you' — it has many more uses
• Not using it when closing business emails — it is expected as a standard closing

Origin & History

From よろしく (yoroshiku, favourably/well) + お願いします (onegai shimasu, I request/please). Literally 'I request your favourable treatment.' Deeply embedded in Japanese social culture as a way to establish and maintain relationships.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional, centuries of usage

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Arguably the most important social phrase in the language. Its absence in English is often cited as the hardest thing to explain about Japanese culture.