How to Say ‘Likewise.’ in Japanese
こちらこそ。
kochira koso
[koh-chee-rah koh-soh]
💬 Usage Tip: [こちらこそ] means “No, it’s me / Same to you.” It’s used after thanks or apologies as a polite return.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Common in Japan to bounce back gratitude to show humility. It keeps interactions smooth and avoids one-sided “owing.”
Phrase Breakdown
こちら
kochira
[koh-chee-rah]
this side; we/me (humble)
In set phrases, こちら can mean “me/us.” In こちらこそ it implies “No, thank you / Likewise (from my side).”
ありがとうございます。こちらこそ。
Thank you. Likewise / Same to you.
こそ
koso
[koh-soh]
precisely; indeed (emphasis)
こそ emphasizes what comes before it. こちらこそ is a fixed response meaning “No, thank you / It’s me who should say that.”
いつもありがとうございます。こちらこそ。
Thank you always. No, thank you (likewise).
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