How to Say ‘Nice to meet you.’ in Japanese
よろしくお願いします。
yoroshiku o negai shi masu
[yoh-roh-shee-koo oh neh-guy shee mahs]
🇯🇵 In Japan: There's no real English equivalent. It's a polite request for good relations from here on, and you say it whenever a new relationship begins. When you meet a new neighbor, ending your introduction without it would feel unfinished.
Phrase Breakdown
よろしく
yoroshiku
[yoh-roh-shee-koo]
please treat me well; looking forward to working with you
A friendly phrase used to ask for goodwill or cooperation.
あたらしいスタッフによろしくと言います。
I say 'yoroshiku' to a new staff member.
お願いします。
o negai shi masu
I ask of you / please
A polite request phrase. The final 'su' is nearly silent: 'onegai shimass'.
水をお願いします。
Water, please.
Words in this phrase
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
A polite prefix that makes the expression more courteous.
お名前をお願いします。
Your name, please.
願い
negai
[neh-guy]
request; favor
願い refers to a wish or request, and in お願い it forms a polite request expression.
お願いがあります。
I have a request.
し
shi
[shee]
do
Part of します in the polite expression お願いします.
はい、よろしくお願いします。
Yes, please treat me favorably.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
Polite present/future ending used in verbs like します.
今確認します。
I will check now.
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