1.
please; thank you in advance; if you would (very polite)
A very polite request expression formed by combining the humble verb いたす with the noun 願い (request). Used to politely ask for help, action, or continued goodwill. More formal than the everyday お願いします.
よろしくお願いいたします。
I look forward to working with you (very polite).
Replaces します with the humble form いたします to lift the politeness of お願いします a notch. Standard register for emails to clients, business letters, and formal customer service.
LEVELS OF "PLEASE":
- 頼む: casual; among friends, between equals
- お願い: casual to neutral; everyday request
- お願いします: standard polite; ubiquitous
- お願いいたします: very polite; humble form, business and formal contexts
- お願い申し上げます: extremely polite; ceremonial speeches and formal letters
Common collocations
- よろしくお願いいたします: very polite "thank you in advance" / "nice to meet you"
- 何卒お願いいたします: "please, I humbly ask"
- ご確認お願いいたします: "please confirm" (in business email)
Usage
Very common as a closing line in business emails, often combined with 何卒 (please, kindly) for added formality.