こちら

pronoun

this way, this person (polite)

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(おてあら)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

こちら is the polite equivalent of ここ. It's used in formal situations, customer service, and polite introductions. こちらへどうぞ is commonly heard in shops and restaurants. When introducing people, こちらは〜さんです is the polite form. こちらこそ is used to return a greeting or thanks.

basic

Added 2026.1.7 21:20 · Revised 2026.2.22 15:56

00500/00960_kochira