こちらこそ

Japanese

Etymology

こちら (kochira, “this person, I”) + こそ (koso, “it is… that”)

Idiom

こちらこそ • (kochira koso) 

1. (used as a response) I'm the one that should really be saying that.

   literally: this way, for sure; as in the thanks/apology should really be going this way (your way)

   A: 「どうもありがとう。」 B: 「こちらこそ。」

   A: "Dōmo arigatō." B: "Kochira koso."

   A: "Thank you very much." B: "No, thank you."

   A: 「ごめんなさい。」 B: 「いいえ、こちらこそ。ごめんなさい。」

   A: "Gomen nasai." B: "Īe, kochira koso. Gomen nasai."

   A: "Forgive me." B: "No, I'm the one that should be sorry. Forgive me."

See also

• どういたしまして (dō itashimashite)