The Meaning of nanitozo [何卒] In Japanese

何卒
なにとぞ
Romaji: nanitozo N1

What does 何卒 mean?

Translation and Meaning

please, by all means

Definition

What does 何卒 mean? It is a formal adverb used in Japanese to request something politely and earnestly, especially in written communications, conveying humility and deference and often appearing in closing formulas such as 何卒よろしくお願い申し上げます.

Type

adverb (副詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Formal, high-register request tone in written Japanese, typically in business or official correspondence.
  • Intensifies a request, conveying humility and deference without casual nuance.
  • Typically used at the end of a sentence or as part of a polite closing in formal letters.

Etymology

From the compound 何 and 卒, the expression evolved into a fixed adverb meaning ‘by all means’ or ‘please’ in modern Japanese; the pronunciation nanitozo is established as a set form.

Origin

Historically documented in classical Japanese; its prominence continues in modern Meiji-era onward formal writing and contemporary business correspondence.

Composition

  • 何: what; contributes to the sense of emphasis in this fixed expression.
  • 卒: finish/end; in this compound it functions as a conventional intensifier forming a formal adverb.

Usage

Used in formal written requests and closing formulas; unsuitable in casual conversation; appears in letters, emails, and official documents to politely solicit an action or favor; it signals respect and humility toward the listener or reader.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a formal bow accompanying the phrase nanitozo; the ‘finish’ idea of 卒 helps you recall that this is a conclusive, polite plea to complete a request.

Variations

  • どうぞ (douzo) — casual, everyday or general ‘please’ in similar contexts.
  • 宜しくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) — standard polite closing in business communication.

Example Phrases

  • 本日中に資料を提出してください、何卒よろしくお願いいたします。
    honjitsu-chū ni shiryō o teishutsu shite kudasai, nanitozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
    Please submit the documents by today; I would greatly appreciate it.
    Lista:
    • 本日中に (honjitsu-chū ni) – by today
    • 資料を (shiryō o) – the documents
    • 提出してください (teishutsu shite kudasai) – please submit
    • 何卒よろしくお願いいたします (nanitozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu) – I would greatly appreciate it
    何卒 is a formal, polite request word, read 「なにとぞ」, used to emphasize a plea at the end of a request. Here it heightens the politeness of ‘please submit.’
何卒