The Difference Between「よろしくお願いします」と「どうぞよろしく」の違い｜Japanese Grammar (N5–N3)

(Joy bowing in an office [Yoroshiku onegaishimasu] vs. Joy waving at a party [Douzo yoroshiku])

“Nice to meet you.” -> よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu)
“Nice to meet you!” -> どうぞよろしく (Douzo yoroshiku)
In Japanese, “Yoroshiku” is the ultimate magic word. It means “Please treat me well,” “Nice to meet you,” or “I’m counting on you.” But should you say the full phrase or the short version? It all depends on your relationship with the other person! Let’s learn the difference with Joy and Ken.

🗣 Conversation Scene

Joy is introducing herself to a new student at the JPLT language exchange meetup.

Joy

はじめまして、Joyです！フィリピンから来ました。
これから一緒に日本語の勉強をがんばりましょう！どうぞよろしく！
(Nice to meet you, I’m Joy! I’m from the Philippines. Let’s do our best studying Japanese together! “Douzo yoroshiku”!)

Ken

Joyさん、完璧（かんぺき）な挨拶（あいさつ）ですね！
友達になる人には「どうぞよろしく」がフレンドリーでいいですね。先生や上司には「よろしくお願いします」を使いましょう！
(Joy, that’s a perfect greeting! For people becoming friends, “Douzo yoroshiku” is friendly and nice. For teachers and bosses, let’s use “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu”!)

💡 Explanation

Standard Polite vs. Casual Friendly

1. よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu)

Level: Polite / Formal (Standard) 👔
This is the full, complete sentence. “Onegaishimasu” is a humble way to say “I request.” Because it includes this polite verb, it shows respect to the listener. If you are ever unsure which one to use, this is the safest choice!

When to use: Business meetings, interviews, talking to teachers, older people, or someone you are meeting for the first time in a formal setting.

2. どうぞよろしく (Douzo yoroshiku)

Level: Casual / Friendly 👋
“Douzo” means “go ahead” or “please,” giving the phrase a soft, welcoming feel. However, because it drops the verb “onegaishimasu,” it is considered a casual abbreviation. It sounds warm, friendly, and implies you are equals.

When to use: At a casual party, introducing yourself to a peer, joining a hobby club, or meeting a friend of a friend.

💡 Pro Tip: The Super Formal Version
If you combine them to say “Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu” (どうぞよろしくお願いします), it becomes extremely polite! It means “I humbly and kindly request your favor.” Use this for VIPs or your biggest clients!

📊 Comparison Table

Phrase	Politeness Level	Nuance & Audience
よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu)	Polite / Standard (丁寧)	Respectful. For bosses, teachers, and business. (Safe choice)
どうぞよろしく (Douzo yoroshiku)	Casual / Friendly (カジュアル)	Approachable. For peers, hobby groups, and casual parties.

🚧 Joy’s Mistake

(Joy meets the CEO of her company for the first time)

❌ Wrong: 社長（しゃちょう）、はじめまして。どうぞよろしく！
(Nuance: “Hey CEO, nice to meet ya!” Dropping the verb to a superior sounds too familiar and slightly disrespectful in a business setting.)

✅ Right: 社長、はじめまして。よろしくお願いします。
(Nuance: “Nice to meet you, Sir/Madam.” This shows proper professional respect.)