“Osewa ni natte orimasu” – How and When to Use It in Business
More than just “Hope you’re well.” Learn how to use “Osewa ni natte orimasu” naturally in Japanese business emails and calls.
Understand the real meaning of お世話になっております(osewa ni natte orimasu), when to use it for first contact, and how it differs from osewa ni narimasu. Includes natural replies, common mistakes, and examples for professional communication.
?️ Updated: October 17, 2025
Quick Definition
お世話になっております (osewa ni natte orimasu) is the standard opener for external business emails and phone calls in Japan. Literally meaning “to be in someone’s care,” it expresses appreciation for ongoing support and cooperation between companies or professionals.
- Used with: Clients, partners, suppliers, or other external contacts.
- Not used inside your company: say お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu) instead.
- For first contact: if you have no prior relationship, use osewa ni narimasu (“I will be in your care”) or a neutral greeting such as “Hajimete go-renraku itashimasu.”
1. How to Use It (Email & Phone)
In professional settings, this phrase appears at the very beginning of most external emails and phone calls. Rather than focusing on a specific favor, it works as a polite bridge that sets a cooperative tone before moving into the main topic. Using it regularly helps maintain trust and ensures smooth communication with clients or partners.
Email opener (standard example)
ABC株式会社
営業部
佐藤 一郎 様
いつもお世話になっております。
D株式会社の山田でございます。
先日 お問合わせをいただきました セミナーのご案内の 資料をお送りいたします。
今後ともどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
D株式会社
広報部 山田 次郎
〒100-0001 東京都千代田区1-1-1
TEL：03-1234-5678（代表）
E-mail：This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web：https://www.example.com
Phone opener (making a call)
Below is a natural example of how お世話になっております (osewa ni natte orimasu) is used when making a business call.
「いつもお世話になっております。〇〇株式会社の 佐藤でございます。 今、お時間よろしいでしょうか。」
“Thank you as always for your support. This is Sato from 〇〇 Corporation. Do you have a moment to talk now?”
? Inside your company: use お疲れ様です（otsukaresama desu） instead. It sets a polite, in-house tone.
2. First-Contact Etiquette
For a very first message, your relationship with the recipient isn’t established yet. A neutral opener such as お世話になります (osewa ni narimasu) or はじめてご連絡いたします feels natural. If your companies already work together, or you were introduced by someone, then お世話になっております (osewa ni natte orimasu) is appropriate because it acknowledges an ongoing relationship.
Email (first-time outreach)
はじめてご連絡いたします。D株式会社の 山田太郎と申します。
“This is my first time contacting you. This is Taro Yamada from D Corporation.”
Email (relationship already exists)
いつもお世話になっております。D株式会社の 山田でございます。
“Thank you as always for your support. This is Yamada from D Corporation.”
3. “Osewa ni narimasu” vs “Osewa ni natte orimasu”
Both expressions share the same core meaning: “to be in someone’s care.” The difference lies in timing and relationship status.
- Osewa ni narimasu (used before cooperation begins): use it when reaching out for the first time or when you expect future help.
- Osewa ni natte orimasu (used during an existing relationship): use it once communication or business interaction is already established.
- If unsure: choose natte orimasu when your companies are already connected, even if it’s your personal first email.
? Tip: When being introduced by someone or continuing an existing partnership, osewa ni natte orimasu sounds natural and polite.
4. Useful Variants & Natural Replies
Depending on the level of formality and timing, お世話になっております (osewa ni natte orimasu) can appear in several variations. Here are the most common forms you’ll encounter in emails and calls, from standard to formal, along with natural ways to reply.
| Expression | When to Use | Example Context |
|---|---|---|
| いつもお世話になっております。 (Most common) |
Standard greeting in ongoing relationships. Used in most external emails or calls. | Routine contact with a client, vendor, or partner you already know. |
| 平素より（格別の）お世話になっております。 (Formal / written) |
Used in newsletters, company announcements, and official letters to multiple recipients. | End-of-year greetings, company updates, service notifications. |
| 先日はお世話になりました。 (Past event) |
Used to thank someone for a specific occasion or assistance that already happened. | After a meeting or event, or when following up after receiving help or hospitality. |
Natural Replies
When someone says お世話になっております (osewa ni natte orimasu) to you, it is polite to return the sentiment rather than simply saying “Thank you.” Choose a reply that matches your relationship and the level of formality.
- こちらこそお世話になっております。 (Safest and most standard reply. “Likewise, thank you for your continued support.”)
- いつもありがとうございます。 (Slightly warmer and friendlier. Use when you know the person well.)
- こちらこそ、どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 (Good for first contact, follow-ups, or when building a new relationship.)
5. Common Mistakes (and What to Say Instead)
Even though お世話になっております (osewa ni natte orimasu) is a polite and essential phrase, it’s easy to use it in the wrong situation. The table below explains three common mistakes English speakers make, why they sound unnatural in Japanese, and what to say instead.
| Mistake | Why it sounds wrong | Better option |
|---|---|---|
| Using お世話になっております in your very first email or message | This phrase assumes an existing relationship. Using it with a completely new contact can sound overfamiliar or unnatural. In English, it’s like saying “Thanks for your continued support” to someone you’ve never met. |
初めてご連絡いたします。 “This is my first time contacting you.” Then briefly introduce yourself and state your purpose. |
| Using お世話になっております inside your own company | Within your company, this phrase feels too formal and distant. It’s as if you’re addressing an external client. Colleagues usually use お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu) to create a friendly, cooperative tone. |
お疲れ様です。 Use this greeting instead for internal emails or chat messages. |
| Saying お世話様です | This shortened form is sometimes used in casual speech or older business habits, but in modern business Japanese it sounds unprofessional and outdated. |
お世話になっております。 Always use the full, polite version in writing or formal business situations. |
6. The Psychology Behind the Phrase
In Japanese business culture, お世話になっております (osewa ni natte orimasu) is more than politeness. It reflects an awareness that success comes through mutual support. The phrase conveys humility, gratitude, and a sense of aidagara (“the space between people”), reminding both sides that professional trust is built together, not alone.
7. Summary
- Use “osewa ni natte orimasu” at the start of emails or calls with external partners to show appreciation and professionalism.
- For first contact, say osewa ni narimasu or a neutral greeting until the relationship is established.
- Inside your company, use otsukaresama desu instead — it creates a friendly, in-house tone.
8. Mini Quiz
Q1. First email to a totally new company. Best opener?
- お世話になっております。
- 初めてご連絡いたします。
- ご無沙汰しております。
Show Answer
Answer: ② 初めてご連絡いたします。
Reason: “osewa ni natte orimasu” assumes an existing relationship and can sound too familiar if used in a first-time email. In cold outreach, it’s more natural to begin with a neutral self-introduction like “Hajimete go-renraku itashimasu,” which clearly shows that this is your first contact.
Q2. You are new to the account, but your companies already work together. Best opener?
- お世話になります。
- お世話になっております。
- お疲れ様です。
Show Answer
Answer: ② お世話になっております。
Reason: Even if you personally are contacting the client for the first time, the business relationship between the companies already exists. In this case, “osewa ni natte orimasu” is appropriate because it acknowledges that ongoing connection. “osewa ni narimasu” would sound like the relationship is just beginning, which does not match the situation.
9. FAQ
Is “Osewa-sama desu” acceptable?
You might hear this shortened form in casual speech or older offices, but in writing it sounds too informal. Always use the full version: お世話になっております (osewa ni natte orimasu) in professional emails.
Is there any difference between phone and email greetings?
Slightly. In phone calls, it’s used together with your name right away, for example: “いつもお世話になっております。〇〇株式会社の田中でございます。” In emails, it usually comes after the recipient’s name and before your self-introduction.
Can I combine it with seasonal greetings like “Heiso yori”?
Yes, but only in formal letters or newsletters. “平素よりお世話になっております” adds extra politeness, similar to “We sincerely appreciate your continued support.” For everyday emails, keep it simple with just お世話になっております.
Glossary
- お世話になっております (osewa ni natte orimasu) : external opener showing appreciation for an ongoing relationship
- お世話になります (osewa ni narimasu) : forward-looking version used when a relationship is just beginning
- お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu) : internal greeting among colleagues
Next steps: practice in Business Japanese courses
Want to go beyond the article? Practice these expressions in our Business Japanese courses.
ISHIBASHI Kaori
Business Japanese A｜Workplace Conversation, Phone Etiquette, and Essential Keigo (B1–C1)
Focuses on polite workplace greetings, internal email tone, and practical keigo for day-to-day collaboration among colleagues.
YAMAMOTO Hiroshi
Business Japanese B｜Professional Keigo, Writing Techniques, and Core Business Japanese (B2–C1)
Refines advanced keigo and meeting language, with a focus on professional follow-ups and clear business writing.
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Written by Chiho Kamioka Founder
Since founding Japonin (JOI) in 2006, I have focused on helping learners worldwide build confidence in Japanese.
With nearly 20 years of online teaching experience, I enjoy exploring how language reflects relationships and professionalism in Japanese culture.