Use and Meaning of よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu)

Across a large number of different situations, yoroshiku onegaishimasu can hold various meanings. So let’s take a look at a few examples!

Also check out our guide on the difference between kudasai and onegaishimasu!

When it’s your First time meeting Someone
At a Meeting/Group Work in University…
In an Email…
In Commercial Advertising…
Conclusion

Various Situations for Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu

When It’s Your First Time Meeting Someone

Sato: はじめまして。佐藤(佐藤)です。- Hajimemashite. Satōdesu.
Louise: ルイスです。よろしくお願(ねがい)いします。- Ruisudesu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Sato: こちらこそ、よろしくお願(ねがい)いします。- Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

 

Sato: Hi, my name is Sato.
Louise: My name is Louise. Nice to meet you.
Sato: Nice to meet you too.
A greeting, similar to “nice to meet you” is used in this case. It is not very difficult to translate as similar expressions exist in every language. As a result, よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) is usually among the first few phrases learned by new Japanese students.
Take a look at another example.

At a Meeting/Group Work in University…

Sato: みなさん、おそろいですか?- Minasan, osoroidesuka?
Louise: はい、そのようです。- Hai, sono yōdesu.
Sato: では始(はじ)めましょう。今日(きょう)はよろしくお願(ねがい)いします。- De wa hajimemashou. Kyō wa yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

 

Sato: Is everyone here?
Louise: Yes, it seems like it.
Sato: Well then, let’s begin. Today, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Encouragement (let’s work hard together), or words of gratitude (thank you for your valuable time) can be inferred from this context. However, in other contexts, it could sound like a preemptive excuse (please be generous and overlook any problems).

In an Email…

添付(てんぷ)の資料(しりょう)で何(なに)かわからない点(てん)がありましたらお知(し)らせください。
以上(いじょう)です。よろしくお願(ねがい)いします。(よろしくお願(ねがい)いたしますー敬語(けいご))

 

Tenpu no shiryō de nani ka wakaranai ten ga arimashitara oshirase kudasai. Ijōdesu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. (Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu ̄ keigo)

 

Please contact me if you have any questions upon checking the attached file.
That is all, yoroshiku onegaishimasu. (yoroshiku onegai itashimasu – keigo)

In Commercial Advertising…

新(あたら)しいシングルが7月7日にリリースされます!
みなさん、どうぞよろしくお願(ねがい)いします!

 

Atarashī shinguru ga shichi gatsu nanoka ni rirīsu saremasu! Minasan, dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu!

 

The new single will go on sale July 7th.
Everyone, yoroshiku onegaishimasu!
Set closing phrases such as 敬具, Keigu (Yours Sincerely), are used in emails and letters. However, there is also a nuance of “next you have to do something!”.  Furthermore, a clear implication of “purchase the single please!” can be seen in the example of the commercial. want to learn to write a business E-mail in Japanese? Check out our business Japanese Courses!

Let’s watch a video to recap on what we have learned!

 

Conclusion

As shown, there are a number of ways to translate the meaning of yoroshiku onegaishimasu, but the important point to note is that it is not said with regards to something that has already happened. Instead, it is used as an expression of gratitude, apology, explanation, or expression of something that will happen in the future.
It’s important function is to say arigatou (thank you) or gomen nasai (sorry) about something that has not yet happened.
In any event, yoroshiku onegaishimasu is an extremely convenient way to end conversations and written emails. From now on, please closely observe the situations and conversations in which it is used.  よろしくお願いします!
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Another business phrase you can find out more about is “Otsukaresama desu” so find out more! If you want to learn business Japanese, check out our business Japanese courses!


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