今後ともどうぞよろしくお願いいたします
Kongo tomo douzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu
I look forward to your continued support
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The ultimate formal closer for maintaining long-term professional or social bonds in Japan.
- Means: 'Please continue to treat me well from now on.'
- Used in: Business emails, end of meetings, or New Year's greetings.
- Don't confuse: Never use this with close friends; it sounds cold and distant.
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
A very polite and formal phrase used to express hope for continued good relations or support.
Contexte culturel
In Japan, the end of a project is not the end of a relationship. This phrase ensures the 'door is left open' for future business, which is vital in a culture that prizes 'Giri' (obligation). The phrase is part of 'Aisatsu' (greetings), which are considered more about social lubrication than conveying new information. Japanese people send 'Nengajo' (postcards) to everyone they know. This phrase is the standard way to maintain those hundreds of connections once a year. High-end Ryokans (inns) use this to tell guests they are always welcome back, emphasizing a bond that transcends a single stay.
The Bow Factor
Always bow when saying this in person. A 15 to 30-degree bow makes the phrase 100% more authentic.
Don't Overuse
If you say this every time you see a colleague in the hallway, it becomes weird. Save it for the 'closings' of interactions.
The Bow Factor
Always bow when saying this in person. A 15 to 30-degree bow makes the phrase 100% more authentic.
Don't Overuse
If you say this every time you see a colleague in the hallway, it becomes weird. Save it for the 'closings' of interactions.
Email Etiquette
In Japanese business emails, this is the equivalent of 'Sincerely' or 'Best regards,' but with more weight on the relationship.
Teste-toi
Complete the formal business closing.
{今後|こんご}とも（ ）よろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします。
'Douzo' is the standard polite adverb used in this set phrase.
Which situation is MOST appropriate for this phrase?
You are...
This phrase is for formal, long-term relationships.
Choose the best response for a business partner.
Partner: {本日|ほんじつ}はありがとうございました。 You: （ ）
'Kochira koso' (Me too) is the perfect way to return this formal sentiment.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices{今後|こんご}とも（ ）よろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします。
'Douzo' is the standard polite adverb used in this set phrase.
You are...
This phrase is for formal, long-term relationships.
Partner: {本日|ほんじつ}はありがとうございました。 You: （ ）
'Kochira koso' (Me too) is the perfect way to return this formal sentiment.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is very appropriate, especially at the end of a semester or in a formal email.
'Kore kara mo' is the less formal version. Use 'Kongo tomo' for business and 'Kore kara mo' for friends.
In very formal settings, yes. Shortening it to 'Yoroshiku' makes it casual.
It means 'also' or 'as well,' implying that just as you were good to me in the past, please be so in the future.
Only if it's a very formal text to a client. For friends, it's too stiff.
Yes! It shows you are looking forward to a long relationship with them.
Adding 'Nanitozo' at the beginning: 'Nanitozo kongo tomo...'
It's a way to 'reset' and 'renew' the relationship for the coming year.
Yes, to express that you want to stay in touch or keep a good connection with the company.
It is completely gender-neutral.
Expressions liées
よろしくお{願|ねが}いします
similarPlease treat me well.
{引|ひ}き{続|つづ}きよろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします
builds onPlease continue to treat me well.
これからもよろしく
synonymLet's be friends/partners from now on too.
ご{指導|しどう}ご{鞭撻|べんたつ}のほど
specialized formYour guidance and encouragement.
Où l'utiliser
Ending a Business Email
Tanaka: {資料|しりょう}を{送|おく}りました。ご{確認|かくにん}ください。
Tanaka: {今後|こんご}ともどうぞよろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします。
New Year's Greeting
Neighbor: あけましておめでとうございます。
You: おめでとうございます。{今後|こんご}ともどうぞよろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします。
Leaving a Meeting
Client: では、また{来週|らいしゅう}。
You: はい。{今後|こんご}ともどうぞよろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします。
Wedding Speech
Groom: {皆様|みなさま}のご{支援|しえん}に{感謝|かんしゃ}いたします。
Groom: {今後|こんご}ともどうぞよろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします。
Moving into a New Apartment
You: {隣|となり}に{越|こ}してきた{佐藤|さとう}です。
You: {今後|こんご}ともどうぞよろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします。
Job Interview Exit
Interviewer: {結果|けっか}は{後日|ごじつ}お{伝|つた}えします。
Candidate: ありがとうございました。{今後|こんご}ともどうぞよろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします。
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'Kongo' as 'King Kong' going forward into the future, and 'Yoroshiku' as 'Your-wish-is-cool'.
Association visuelle
Imagine a long, golden bridge stretching from where you are standing into a bright sunrise. You are shaking hands with someone on this bridge, and the bridge represents 'Kongo' (the future path).
Rhyme
Kongo tomo, let the friendship grow!
Story
You are a samurai meeting a new lord. You bow low and say 'Kongo tomo...' to promise that your sword (and your loyalty) will be his from this day forward, forever.
In Other Languages
In Korean, 'ap-euro-do jal butak-deurimnida' is almost a direct equivalent. In English, 'I look forward to our continued partnership' captures the professional essence.
Word Web
Défi
Write a mock email to a Japanese company closing with this phrase. Then, say it out loud while performing a 15-degree bow.
Review this phrase every time you finish a study session to 'close' your learning for the day.
Prononciation
The 'n' is a nasal sound, and the 'go' is short.
The 'r' is a flap, like the 'tt' in 'better'. The 'u' at the end is often voiceless.
Spectre de formalité
{今後|こんご}ともどうぞよろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします。 (General relationship maintenance)
これからもよろしくお{願|ねが}いします。 (General relationship maintenance)
これからもよろしくね！ (General relationship maintenance)
これからもよろ！ (General relationship maintenance)
The word 'yoroshiku' comes from the adjective 'yoroshii' (good/fine). In the Heian period, it was a simple descriptor. By the Edo period, it became an adverb used in the 'Aisatsu' of the merchant class to humbly request that the customer view the merchant's business as 'good.'
Le savais-tu ?
The 'yoroshiku' part is so iconic that it's often written in 'Yankee' (delinquent) subculture using kanji for their sounds: 夜露死苦 (Night-Dew-Death-Suffering).
Notes culturelles
In Japan, the end of a project is not the end of a relationship. This phrase ensures the 'door is left open' for future business, which is vital in a culture that prizes 'Giri' (obligation).
“Ending a contract negotiation with this phrase.”
The phrase is part of 'Aisatsu' (greetings), which are considered more about social lubrication than conveying new information.
“Saying it even if you have no specific future plans with the person.”
Japanese people send 'Nengajo' (postcards) to everyone they know. This phrase is the standard way to maintain those hundreds of connections once a year.
“Printing this phrase on 200 postcards.”
High-end Ryokans (inns) use this to tell guests they are always welcome back, emphasizing a bond that transcends a single stay.
“The innkeeper bowing as your car pulls away.”
Amorces de conversation
How would you end your first email to a potential Japanese employer?
You just finished a successful project with a client. What do you say?
It's January 1st. You see your professor. What's the full greeting?
Erreurs courantes
今後ともよろしくね (to a boss)
{今後|こんご}ともどうぞよろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします
L1 Interference
今後ともありがとうございます
{今後|こんご}ともよろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします
L1 Interference
今後ともよろしくお願いいたします (to a close friend)
これからもよろしく！
L1 Interference
今後ともよろしくおねがいしました
{今後|こんご}ともよろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
I look forward to our continued partnership.
Japanese focuses on the other person's 'goodness' (yoroshiku), English focuses on the speaker's expectation.
Espero que sigamos colaborando en el futuro.
Spanish is more direct and less of a 'required' social closer.
Dans l'attente de notre future collaboration.
French closers are often much longer and more grammatically complex.
Ich freue mich auf eine weiterhin gute Zusammenarbeit.
German is more focused on the 'work' (Zusammenarbeit) than the general 'favor' (yoroshiku).
نتطلع إلى استمرار تعاوننا
Arabic often includes religious or personal well-wishes not present in the Japanese version.
请多关照
Japanese is more likely to use this as a 'frozen' closer in every single email.
앞으로도 잘 부탁드립니다
The two phrases are functionally identical in almost every social context.
Conto com a sua colaboração contínua.
The Japanese phrase is more about mutual harmony than just relying on the other person.
Spotted in the Real World
“{今後|こんご}とも、よろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします。”
Hanzawa says this to a bank executive after a tense but successful negotiation.
“{今後|こんご}とも{弊社|へいしゃ}をどうぞよろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします。”
The closing line of a press release about a new console or game.
“{今後|こんご}ともよろしくお{願|ねが}いいたします。”
Used when the protagonist is speaking to an elder who has helped her.
Facile à confondre
Learners often think they only need one 'nice to meet you' phrase.
'Hajimemashite' is only for the very first second of meeting. 'Kongo tomo...' is for the end of the meeting.
Both are used at the end of work.
'Otsukaresama' thanks someone for their work today. 'Kongo tomo' looks at the future relationship.
Questions fréquentes (10)
Yes, it is very appropriate, especially at the end of a semester or in a formal email.
usage contexts'Kore kara mo' is the less formal version. Use 'Kongo tomo' for business and 'Kore kara mo' for friends.
comparisonsIn very formal settings, yes. Shortening it to 'Yoroshiku' makes it casual.
practical tipsIt means 'also' or 'as well,' implying that just as you were good to me in the past, please be so in the future.
grammar mechanicsOnly if it's a very formal text to a client. For friends, it's too stiff.
practical tipsYes! It shows you are looking forward to a long relationship with them.
usage contextsAdding 'Nanitozo' at the beginning: 'Nanitozo kongo tomo...'
grammar mechanicsIt's a way to 'reset' and 'renew' the relationship for the coming year.
cultural usageYes, to express that you want to stay in touch or keep a good connection with the company.
usage contextsIt is completely gender-neutral.
basic understanding
