The One Million Meanings of Yoroshiku
So, you’ve learned different ways to say "Nice to meet you!" in Japanese. One way to say “nice to meet you” is “yoroshiku onegai shimasu”.
But yoroshiku onegai shimasu isn't just for the first time you meet someone. It has a whole host of different uses.
Let's look at the main different meanings of this magical, multipurpose Japanese word.
1. Yoroshiku means "Please!"
Yoroshiku, as we learned before, can be used when meeting new people, and means "please be kind to me", or "please look favourably upon me":
初めまして。フランです。よろしくお願いします。
"Hajimemashite. Furan desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."
Nice to meet you. I'm Fran. Please look favourably upon me!
2. Yoroshiku means "Thank you!"
As well as please, yoroshiku can mean thank you. Specifically, it can often mean “thank you in advance”. Said when giving someone work to do:
とじまり、よろしくね。
Tojimari, yoroshiku ne.
"I'll leave you to lock up. Thanks."
娘をよろしくお願いします。
Musume o yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
"Thanks in advance for taking care of my daughter."
Shop “Yoroshiku ne” T-shirts:
3. Yoroshiku means "Hi!"
This is one of my favourites. Yoroshiku can mean "regards", like "send my regards to so-and-so", or "say hi to so-and-so", or even "send my love to so-and-so":
お父さんによろしくお伝えください。
O-tou-san ni yoroshiku o tsutae kudasai.
Please send my best regards to your father.
お姉さんによろしくね。
O-nee-san ni yoroshiku ne.
Say hi to your sister for me.
What's your favourite use of yoroshiku? Did I miss any out? Let me know...yoroshiku ne!
Tuesdays, 12:00pm (UK time) | Online Group Course
Starts 15th Sept 2026 | 36 weeks
Who this course is for
This course is for true beginners or early beginners who already know a little Japanese (e.g. ~10-20 hiragana characters) and want to build a solid foundation.
If you are starting completely from zero, I recommend a few 1:1 lessons before joining.
You will already be able to:
Recognise a small number of hiragana characters (or are beginning to learn them)
Feel comfortable learning slowly and step-by-step
In this course you will learn to:
Introduce yourself and ask simple questions
Talk about family, friends, likes and dislikes
Order food and drinks in a restaurant
Ask and answer simple questions about places you are staying
Talk about where people and things are located
Build confidence reading hiragana and begin katakana
Start recognising a small number of common kanji
The focus is on practical, everyday Japanese for absolute communication basics.
Course details
Duration: 36 weeks (3 x 12-week terms)
Day/time: Tuesdays, 12pm (UK time), 55-minute lessons
Textbook: Irodori: Japanese for Life in Japan - Starter (starting from Lesson 3, free online)
Not sure if this is right for you?
Book a free 30-minute Zoom consultation or email me for advice.
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Updated 10th August 2021
