How to Say ‘Pleased to meet you.’ in Japanese
よろしくお願いします。
yoroshiku o negai shi masu
[yoh-roh-shee-koo o neh-guy shee mahs]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This has no real English equivalent. It's a request for the other person's goodwill in your future dealings, said at the end of nearly every self-introduction, usually with a small bow.
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 humbly ask (please)
This makes the phrase polite. Together the two parts mean 'Pleased to meet you / I look forward to our relationship.'
水をお願いします。
Water, please.
Words in this phrase
お
o
[o]
polite prefix
Prefix added for politeness.
お名前は？
What is your name?
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 (stem)
Verb stem used as part of the fixed polite request phrase.
注文をお願いし、ます。
I would like to place the order, please.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.
予約を確認し ます。
I will confirm the reservation.
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