よろしくお願いします — What does this actually mean?

If you’ve studied Japanese, you’ve probably learned this phrase.

One textbook might translate it as “Nice to meet you.”

Another might say, “I’m looking forward to working with you.”

So which one is correct?

Actually, both can work—depending on the situation.

I’ve seen this confuse many learners, so I like to break it down first, then give them the English translation that best fits their situation.

よろしく is the adverbial form of よろしい, a more polite or formal form of いい (“good”).

In this expression, よろしく carries the sense of something being done in a good or appropriate way.

お願い means a request or favor, and お願いします is used to make a request.

So, very literally, よろしくお願いします expresses the idea of asking someone to deal with something favorably or appropriately.

That’s why there isn’t just one English translation.

What it means in English depends on the situation and your relationship with the other person.

How does the meaning change depending on the situation?

1. At the end of a self-introduction

よろしくお願いします can convey something like:

“I’m looking forward to getting to know you.”

This is why the whole exchange is sometimes translated as “Nice to meet you,” even though よろしくお願いします itself does not literally mean that.

2. When you start working with new coworkers

It can mean something like:

“I’m looking forward to working with you.”

3. When you make a request

It can convey something like:

“Thank you in advance for your help.”

The Japanese expression stays the same, but the most natural English translation changes with the situation and the relationship between the speakers.

Want to learn more about how Japanese is actually used in real-life situations?

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