こちら

こちら
pronoun
this way, this person; I, we (polite/humble)
politedirection
1. this way, here (polite)
A polite demonstrative for direction or location near the speaker.
こちらへどうぞ。
This way, please.
Very common polite expression
こちらが入(い)り口(ぐち)です。
The entrance is over here.
こちらにお名前(なまえ)をお書(か)きください。
Please write your name here.
こちらはお手洗(てあら)いではありません。あちらです。
This isn't the restroom. It's over there.
こちらの席(せき)にお座(すわ)りになってお待(ま)ちください。
Please take a seat here and wait.
2. this person (polite introduction)
Used when politely introducing someone.
こちらは田中(たなか)さんです。
This is Mr./Ms. Tanaka.
Polite introduction
こちらは私(わたし)の母(はは)です。
This is my mother.
こちらは会社(かいしゃ)の山田(やまだ)さんです。
This is Mr./Ms. Yamada from my company.
こちらが新(あたら)しい先生(せんせい)です。どうぞよろしく。
This is the new teacher. Nice to meet you.
こちらは昨日(きのう)お話(はなし)した友達(ともだち)です。
This is the friend I told you about yesterday.
3. I, we (humble)
Used humbly to refer to oneself or one's group.
こちらこそ、よろしくお願(ねが)いします。
Likewise, pleased to meet you.
Common response
こちらこそ、ありがとうございます。
Thank you, too. / I should be the one thanking you.
こちらこそ、すみません。
I'm the one who should apologize.
こちらから電話(でんわ)します。
I/We will call you.
Humble use referring to oneself
こちらでお待(ま)ちしております。
We are waiting for you here.
Humble use in business context

The polite equivalent of ここ/こっち. Part of the ko-so-a-do demonstrative system. Used in three main ways: direction/location, introductions, and self-reference.

Functions

1. Direction/location: こちらへどうぞ (This way, please) — very common in shops and restaurants
2. Introductions: こちらは田中(たなか)さんです (This is Mr. Tanaka) — the polite way to introduce someone
3. Self-reference: こちらから連絡(れんらく)します (We will contact you) — humble way to say "I/we"

Key expression

こちらこそ — used to return a greeting, thanks, or apology. Means "I should be the one (thanking you / apologizing)." Very common in daily polite exchanges.

Ko-so-a-do set

  • こちら: here, this way (near speaker)
  • そちら: there, that way (near listener)
  • あちら: over there (far from both)
  • どちら: which way, where (question)

Related Words

Keigo: ここ (plain equivalent (place))
Related: あちら (over there (polite))
Related: そちら (that way, near listener (polite))
Related: どちら (which way (question, polite))
Related: こっち (casual equivalent)
Related: 向(む)こう (over there, opposite side)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:20 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
00500/00960_kochira