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This week in class, we talked about embarrassing and awkwards moments you’ve experienced when working with English-speaking clients or coworkers. Today, we’ll talk about “yoroshiku” — and how directly translating it can make you sound a little needy (needing a lot of help or attention).
Last week, a student wrote an email to their American coworker. It was their first email to them. They wanted to welcome them and show good teamwork.
At the end of the email, the student wrote:
…Uh oh. Their coworker replied thinking the student needed support — like a parent taking care of a child.
Last week, a student showed me a work email they sent to their American coworker. It was their first email, so they wanted to sound friendly, respectful, and like a good teammate.
At the end of the email, they wrote:
…Uh oh.
Their coworker replied in a very kind way — but the reply showed that they were very confused by the expression. It was like they thought the student needed extra support, almost like a parent taking care of a child.
My student meant ‘yoroshiku’ — but the direct translation can mean something very different in English.
Last week, a student asked me to check an email they were sending to an American coworker. It was their first message, so they wanted to set a positive tone: friendly, cooperative, and professional.
The email was excellent… until the final line:
…Uh oh. Their coworker replied in a friendly way, but the response made it obvious the phrase didn’t land as intended — it sounded like a personal request for support, not a normal professional closing.
My student’s intention was to express a kind of “yoroshiku” feeling: a polite, Japanese expression that conveys, “Let’s work well together.” However, when translated directly, “Please take care of me” can carry an unintended implication of dependence in English, shifting the tone from collaborative to needy.
In Japanese, “yoroshiku” is an expression showing support, teamwork, and appreciation. In English, “take care of me” is much more literal — like you need help to function. So the mood is very different, even if the grammar is fine.
Use one of these depending on the situation:
- I look forward to working with you. = polite and forward-looking
- Please let me know if you need anything from me. = supportive and professional
- Thanks in advance. = grateful (use when you’re asking for something)
- Much appreciated. = short and professional gratitude
- Looking forward to your reply. = a neutral follow-up
- Thanks for your help.
- Thanks for your support.
- I appreciate your time.
- Happy to help on my side too.
Which expression would you use in each situation?
- Emailing a new coworker for the first time
- Asking someone to review your document
- Messaging a teammate you already know well
If you want to practice these in real situations or share your answers, you can book a lesson with me on Cafetalk and work on making your English more natural!
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