myself essay in japanese

Your Step-by-Step Jikoshoukai Guide Learn the basics, practice, and create an advanced Japanese self-introduction

October 11, 2016 • words written by Mami Suzuki and Michael Richey • Art by Aya Francisco

Viewing under The Tofugu JET Program Guide

When you start learning Japanese or are visiting Japan for the first time , there are few words to learn right away:

Once you've mastered those three, you need to learn your jikoshoukai.

Jikoshoukai 自己紹介 （ じこしょうかい ） is the Japanese word for "self-introduction." In theory, this is similar to how you would introduce yourself in your own culture. Say hello, say your name, tell a little about yourself. But in practice, there are cultural differences and set procedures you should stick to. You only get one first impression, so it's important to learn how to do it right.

We'll start by teaching you the basic Japanese self-introduction, then cultural subtleties, and finally a ton of extra grammar and vocabulary you can use to talk about yourself with your new Japanese friends.

Jikoshoukai Vocabulary

Writing your jikoshoukai, 1. first name and family name, 2. occupation, 3. don't talk about yourself too much, 4. bowing vs. handshake, 5. holding your hands behind your back, 6. don't bow while talking, business cards, "nice to meet you", "please be kind to me", where you are from, your school, where you live, hobbies and proficiencies, plans for the future, only the beginning, how to jikoshoukai.

Going to Japan, but don't know Japanese? Don't worry. You can jikoshoukai. The Japanese self-intro has a standard order and set phrases, so even beginners can meet and greet in Japanese.

• How do you do?

The set phrase hajimemashite 初めまして （ はじ　　　　 ） either comes from the verb hajimeru 始める （ はじ　　 ） , which means "to start," or it's a shortened form of 初めて （ はじ　　 ） お 目 （ め ） にかかりまして. Though etymologists aren't sure of the word's true origin, hajimemashite implies beginning or doing something for the first time . Most people think of it as saying "How do you do?" or "Nice to meet you."

• 私 （ わたし ） は [name] と 申します （ もう　　　 ） 。
• My name is [name].

The breakdown of this sentence is easier than it looks. It has three parts:

• 私 （ わたし ） は - The first word 私 means "I" or "me." It's followed by the particle は which indicates the topic of the sentence. In this case, 私 is the topic.
• [name] - Your name.
• と 申します （ もう　　　 ） - One meaning of the verb 申す is "to be called." It's paired with the particle と and conjugated to 申します。 This is a polite phrase, so it's safe to use in almost any situation.

When you put them all together, you get something along the lines of "I am called [name]" or "My name is [name]."

• よろしくお 願い （ ねが　 ） します。
• Please be kind to me.

The final piece of the puzzle is よろしくお 願い （ ねが　 ） します. It doesn't translate well to English, which is why we wrote a whole article about it . In a self-intro situation, it means something like "Please be kind to me." It's often translated as "Nice to meet you." This isn't technically correct, though it carries a similar feeling.

Now that you've got the basic building blocks down, it's time to put it together. At its simplest, the jikoshoukai sequence is:

• はじめまして。 私 （ わたし ） は (name) と 申 （ もう ） します。よろしくお 願 （ ねが ） いします。
• How do you do? My name is (name). Please be kind to me.

See? Not so hard. When you're getting ready to meet Japanese people for the first time, write this out and practice until it flows. If you're a beginner at Japanese , you don't need any more than this.

Jikoshoukai Etiquette

It's great to know the words to say when introducing yourself in Japanese, but how you say those words will make or break your jikoshoukai.

There are cultural differences to be aware of. They're subtle, so if you miss them it probably won't be counted against you. But paying attention to details like these can give you an extra social edge when you first meet a new Japanese friend.

In English, people usually introduce themselves by their first names or full names. When you give your full name, the first name comes first and the family name afterward.

In Japanese, people usually introduce themselves by their family names or full names. When they introduce their full name, the family name comes first and the first name comes second.

Revealing one or two of your strengths is fine, but listing all your amazing abilities will annoy others and make you seem over-confident.

In English, when you asked what you do for work, you give a brief summary of your job, or the name of your profession.

In Japan, it's common to answer only, " 会社員 （ かいしゃいん ） です。" (I'm an office worker./I work for a company./I'm a salaryman.)

However, if you introduce yourself to someone in a business setting, mention your company in your self-intro. For example:

• Tofuguのコウイチと 申します （ もう　　　 ） 。
• I'm Koichi from Tofugu.

This concept goes along with our next point…

Japanese people sometimes say lightly self-deprecating things as a form of humility, but it's usually followed by something positive (or the positivity is implied). For example:

• 至らない点が多いかもしれませんが、頑張りますので、よろしくお 願い （ ねが　 ） します
• I might have many flaws, but I'll do my best so please be kind to me.

You don't have to say anything like this (in fact, we advise you don't), but the point is this: Japanese people usually keep their strengths on the down-low.

So try not to show off too much. Revealing one or two of your strengths is fine, but listing all your amazing abilities will annoy others and make you seem over-confident.

In the West, if you're meeting someone one-on-one, you shake hands.

In Japan, don't move in for the handshake, especially if your status is the same or lower than the person you're meeting. In Japan, handshakes are for equals, so if you try to shake hands with the Emperor, it would be considered rude. Bow instead, and do so at the beginning and end of your jikoshoukai.

In Japan, holding your hands behind your back signals importance, so it may make you look full of yourself. Put your hands in front of you (the left hand on top of the right), or put your hands beside you.

This is a no-no from our Japanese bowing guide . Do your bowing after giving your self-introduction. Make sure to finish saying "yoroshiku onegaishimasu" and then bow.

Business cards in Japan are called meishi 名刺 （ めいし ） , and are an important part of Japanese culture. Even outside of the business world, Japanese people sometimes have personal meishi made (meishi means "name card" after all).

We covered meishi etiquette in our article about Japanese work customs , but here are the rules again in a jikoshoukai context.

Orient your card toward the recipient. Give and receive meishi with two hands.

Put meishi in a carrying case: You can buy business card carrying cases online or at any department store in Japan. If you don't have a case, you can carefully put the meishi in your purse or wallet after you've received it. Just don't put it in your pocket.

Use two hands: Orient your card toward the recipient when presenting. Hold the top edge with both hands. When they offer their card, accept it with two hands. Try not to cover any words with your fingers either. Some Japanese people are taught that a meishi is the "face" of the person giving it, so you don't want to cover theirs or your own.

When you and your new friend offer each other meishi at the same time: Present your card with your right hand, while simultaneously receiving theirs with your left.

Read meishi you receive: Read the person's name and title on the card before you put it away. Make sure to show interest in what they do. Act at least a little bit impressed with their job title.

When exchanging meishi in a group, give to the most senior person first: Start by giving your business card to the shachou, then fukushachou, and so on down the chain of command .

Treat meishi with respect: Use common sense and treat meishi like you would a gift. Don't toss or write on them.

Expanding the Basic Jikoshoukai

Maybe you've been doing your Japanese self-intro for years, repeating the same three set phrases over and over. Maybe you've read this guide before and have the basics down pat. You're ready to level up!

Below are example sentences you can mix into your standard jikoshoukai to give it more flavor, and make your self-intro a memorable one.

Earlier we learned how to use はじめまして (nice to meet you, how do you do). Here's a few ways to add to this set phrase.

• こんにちは。はじめまして。
• Hello. Nice to meet you.
• みなさん、はじめまして。
• Nice to meet you, everyone.
• みなさん、こんにちは。はじめまして。
• Hello everyone. Nice to meet you.

For a formal situation, you should say both your first and last names. In a casual situation, it's common to say only your family name for Japanese people.

If you're an English teacher on something like the JET Program , your school might want you to give your first name when you introduce yourself to the students. Ask your supervisor what's appropriate for the situation.

Below are several ways to introduce your name, organized by politeness in ascending order.

• 私 （ わたし ） の 名前 （ なまえ ） はマイケルですが、みんなにはマイクって 呼ばれて （ よ　　　 ） います。
• My name is Michael, but most people call me Mike.
• I'm Michael.

Very Formal:

• マイケルと 申します （ もう　　　 ） 。

Very Formal/Business:

• Tofuguのマイケルと 申します （ もう　　　 ） 。
• I'm Michael from Tofugu.

When you end your jikoshoukai, you'll use a phrase that means "Please be kind to me" or "Remember me favorably." But once you've got a handle on the standard " yoroshiku onegaishimasu ," you can move on to more casual or more formal variations. Below we've organized them by politeness level in ascending order.

Polite/Business:

• どうぞ、よろしくお 願い （ ねが　 ） します。
• よろしくお 願い （ ねが　 ） 致します （ いた　　　 ） 。

Very Polite/Business:

• どうぞ、よろしくお 願い （ ねが　 ） 致します （ いた　　　 ） 。

Formal/Business:

• よろしくお 願い （ ねが　 ） 申し上げます （ もう　あ　　　 ） 。
• どうぞ、よろしくお 願い （ ねが　 ） 申し上げます （ もう　あ　　　 ） 。

Custom Jikoshoukai Modification

From here we get into the fun stuff. After expanding on the initial three pieces of the Japanese self-introduction, you can start adding information about yourself, short sentences that explain where you're from, what you like to do, and so on.

These jikoshoukai modifications will help people get to know you faster when you first introduce yourself. This is especially important as you start to make more Japanese friends, go on dates, or have job interviews.

Telling where you're from is always a good addition to a self-intro. Even if you don't use it during the initial jikoshoukai, your new Japanese friend will probably ask you anyway, so memorizing a few of these phrases is extra useful.

Two quick vocabulary usage notes: First, the word shusshin 出身 （ しゅっしん ） mean's "person's origin," and refers more to the place you were born or grew up than where you currently live. It's often used for specific places like a city, state, or prefecture, rather than a country. For example, Mami was born in Osaka, and now lives in Canada. But she spent most of her life in Nara, so she says " 奈良県 （ ならけん ） の 出身 （ しゅっしん ） です。" or " 出身 （ しゅっしん ） は 奈良県 （ ならけん ） です。"

Second, the verb mairu 参る （ まいる ） is a more humble form of kuru 来る （ く　 ） or iku 行く （ い　 ） . So when 参る （ まい　 ） is used to talk about where you came from in "アメリカから 参りました （ まい　　　 ） ," it's much more humble, so use it in appropriate situations.

• アメリカの 出身 （ しゅっしん ） です。
• I'm from America.
• アメリカから 来ました （ き　　　 ） 。
• アメリカから 参りました （ まい　　　　 ） 。
• オレゴン 州 （ しゅう ） のポートランドから 来ました （ き　　　 ） 。 生まれ （ う　　 ） も 育ち （ そだ　 ） もポートランドです。
• I'm from Portland, Oregon. Born and raised.
• 生まれ （ う　　 ） は 大阪 （ おおさか ） ですが、 育ち （ そだ　 ） は 東京 （ とうきょう ） です。
• I was born in Osaka, but grew up in Tokyo.
• 育ち （ そだ　 ） はニューヨークです。
• I grew up in New York.
• 田舎 （ いなか ） で 育ちました （ そだ　　　　 ） 。
• I grew up in the countryside.
• 生まれ （ う　　 ） は 東京 （ とうきょう ） ですが、 十歳 （ じゅうさい ） の 時 （ とき ） に 大阪 （ おおさか ） に 引っ越しました （ ひ　こ　　　　 ） 。そして、 大学 （ だいがく ） に 入る （ はい　 ） 時 （ とき ） に、 名古屋 （ なごや ） に 引っ越して （ ひ　こ　　 ） 来ました （ き　　　 ） 。
• I was born in Tokyo, but moved to Osaka when I was ten, and lived there until I entered university, which is when I came to Nagoya.
• 小さい （ ちい　　 ） 時 （ とき ） 、 家族 （ かぞく ） が 何度も （ なんど　 ） 引っ越した （ ひ　こ　　 ） ので、 私 （ わたし ） には 育った （ そだ　　 ） 場所 （ ばしょ ） というのはないんです。
• My family moved a lot when I was little, so I'm not really from anywhere.

School, from elementary up through university , is a big part of Japanese life. Be prepared to have people ask alma mater and what you studied. Or cut them off at the pass by including the information in your jikoshoukai.

• Ⓐ 大学 （ だいがく ） Ⓑ 学部 （ がくぶ ） Ⓒ 科 （ か ） の 出身 （ しゅっしん ） です。
• I graduated from the Ⓒ department of the faculty of Ⓑ of Ⓐ University.
• Ⓐ 大学 （ だいがく ） Ⓑ 学部 （ がくぶ ） Ⓒ 科 （ か ） の 学生 （ がくせい ） です。
• I'm a student of the Ⓒ department of the faculty of Ⓑ of Ⓐ University.
• Ⓐ 大学 （ だいがく ） Ⓑ 学部 （ がくぶ ） Ⓒ 科 （ か ） の 二年生 （ にねんせい ） です。
• I'm a second year student of the Ⓒ department of the faculty of Ⓑ of Ⓐ University.
• オレゴン 大学 （ だいがく ） で、 二年間 （ にねんかん ） 東 （ ひがし ） アジアの 歴史 （ れきし ） を 専攻 （ せんこう ） していました。
• I studied East Asian history at Oregon university for two years.

Occupation is a common conversation topic when meeting someone new. If you're doing business in Japan (or want to), you'd better learn at least one of these phrases.

A quick grammar usage note: some of these jikoshoukai example sentences use the continuous state conjugation of suru する （ ） which is shiteimasu しています （ ） . If you want to get extra polite with any of these sentences, swap out しています with shiteorimasu しております （ ） . One easy switch and you're ready to tell CEOs and presidents about your work situation.

• Tofuguで 編集長 （ へんしゅうちょう ） を しています 。
• I'm the chief editor of Tofugu.
• トヨタで 営業 （ えいぎょう ） を 担当 （ たんとう ） しています 。
• I'm working in sales at Toyota.
• 会計課 （ かいけいか ） に 配属 （ はいぞく ） になりました、 佐藤 （ さとう ） です。
• I'm Satou , assigned to the accounts department.
• 私 （ わたし ） は 会社員 （ かいしゃいん ） です。
• I'm an office worker.
• 私 （ わたし ） は 英語 （ えいご ） の 教師 （ きょうし ） です。
• I'm an English teacher.
• 私 （ わたし ） は 英語 （ えいご ） を 教えています （ おし　　　　　 ） 。
• I teach English.
• 私 （ わたし ） はこの 学校 （ がっこう ） で 英語 （ えいご ） を 教えます （ おし　　　 ） 。
• I'm going to teach English at this school.
• 私 （ わたし ） は 東 （ ひがし ） フグ 小学校 （ しょうがっこう ） で 働いて （ はたら　　 ） います。
• I'm working at East Fugu Elementary School.
• 私 （ わたし ） は 東 （ ひがし ） フグ 小学校 （ しょうがっこう ） に 勤めて （ つと　　 ） います。
• I'm working for East Fugu Elementary School.

"You live around here?" is a common question no matter the culture. Be ready to answer questions about your living situation with these sentences.

• 東京 （ とうきょう ） に 住んで （ す　　 ） います。
• I live in Tokyo.
• 東京 （ とうきょう ） 駅 （ えき ） の 近く （ ちか　 ） に 住んで （ す　　 ） います。
• I live near Tokyo station.
• 東京 （ とうきょう ） 駅 （ えき ） の 近く （ ちか　 ） のマンションに 住んで （ す　　 ） います。
• I live in an apartment near Tokyo station.

Hobbies are super important part of life in Japan. Japanese junior high and high school students take school club activities seriously ( sometimes more than academics ) and this passion often continues into adult life. If you have a hobby, that is your "thing." Even if you don't think of your interests as "hobbies," describe them as such anyway. It will help people understand you better . Alternatively, you can say what you like and don't like.

• 趣味 （ しゅみ ） は[____]です。
• My hobby is [____].
• 趣味 （ しゅみ ） は[____]することです。
• My hobby is to do [____]
• [____]が 趣味 （ しゅみ ） です。
• [____]することが 趣味 （ しゅみ ） です。
• 私 （ わたし ） は[____]が 好き （ す　 ） です。
• I like [____]
• [____]も 好き （ す　 ） です。
• I also like [____]
• [____]は 好き （ す　 ） ではありません。
• I don't like [____]
• 私 （ わたし ） は[____]することが 好き （ す　 ） です。
• I like to do [____]
• 私 （ わたし ） は[____]が 得意 （ とくい ） です。
• I'm good at [____].
• 私 （ わたし ） は[____]することが 得意 （ とくい ） です。
• I'm good at doing [____].
• 私 （ わたし ） は[____]が 苦手 （ にがて ） です。
• I'm not good at/I don't like [____](noun)
• 私 （ わたし ） は[____]することが 苦手 （ にがて ） です。
• I'm not good at doing [____].

What do you want to be when you grow up? What new skills are you trying to develop? What are you going to eat for lunch tomorrow? Answer these questions and more with the example sentences below.

Grammar usage note: the noun tsumori つもり （ ） is used to tell what you plan to do. It's most commonly used in situations where you've already made up your mind. It's definite. Don't use it for instances where you're kind of maybe thinking about something, but you're not sure yet.

• [____]ようと 考えて （ かんが　　 ） います。
• I'm thinking about doing [____].
• [____]したいと 思って （ おも　　 ） います。
• I'd like to do [____].
• [____]つもりです。
• 私 （ わたし ） の 目標 （ もくひょう ） は[____]です。
• My object is [____].
• [____]に 挑戦 （ ちょうせん ） したいと 思って （ おも　　 ） います。
• I'd like to challenge [____].

Now you know what it takes to put together a stellar jikoshoukai in Japanese. Put the pieces together, mind the cultural differences, and practice till its second nature.

With a solid self-intro on your side, you're poised to start your relationships right. Just don't forget your business cards.

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How to Introduce Yourself in Japanese! Jikoshoukai (自己紹介)

Are you going to live in Japan? Better prepare yourself with a Japanese self-introduction – a jikoshoukai. Early in your Japanese study, this language knowledge will help you establish yourself among Japanese friends and colleagues. 

In various contexts in Japan (such as school, work, parties, etc.) you will need to introduce yourself. What should you say? How do condense everything about yourself into just one or two minutes?

Do not be afraid, we will introduce step by step the way to give a successful Japanese jikoshoukai!

Coto Academy is a Japanese language school located in Tokyo and Yokohama . With its small class sizes and flexible course schedule , we ensure the students find their community here in Japan and learn practical and useful daily-life Japanese by focusing on conversational practice.

Introducing Yourself (Jikoshoukai) in Japanese

• How to Start a Self-Introduction Session

Where are you from?

Why do you study japanese, why are you in japan, interests and hobbies, the final step: yoroshiku, starting a self-introduction session in japanese.

Begin with a greeting and state your name. Whether you prepare to introduce yourself to a curious crowd of classmates or to one person, make sure to say hello first! Depending on the time of the day, you may say ohayou gozaimasu, konnichiwa, konbanwa. Do you know the difference? Or you can simply state “hajimemashite” – “nice to meet you.”

You can politely say your name with the to-be verb “desu”, or the verb “to say” (言います). In a more formal context, such as an interview, you should use a more formal structure. Note that Japanese people are used to giving their family name first and their given name second.

Casual: 私の名前はボンド・ジェームズ です。 Watashi nonamae ha bondo jieemuzu desu. My name is James bond. Polite: ボンド・ジェームズです。 Bondo, jieemuzu desu. I am James Bond. Polite: ボンド・ジェームズと言います。 Bondo, jieemuzu to iimasu. My name is James Bond. Formal: ボンド・ジェームズと申します。 Bondo, jieemuzu to moushimasu. I am James Bond.

Being a foreigner in Japan is always stimulating the imagination of Japanese. Whether you are from Spain, Germany or Australia, they will more likely give some exotic origins and be surprised to hear the truth. So the next step of your jikoshoukai is to introduce your country and eventually your city! Tips: if you are American and wish to precise your state, you will have to use shuu (州, しゅう).

イギリス（のロンドン）から来ました。 Igirisu (no rondon) kara kimashita. I came from London, England.

アメリカのカリフォルニア州から来ました。 Amerika no karifuorunia shuu kara kimashita. I came from California, in America.

You can also tell where you are from with the word for origins (出身, しゅっしん) or an even easier way would be to give your nationality by adding jin (人, じん) after a country’s name.

マドリッド出身です。 Madoriddo shusshin desu. I am from Madrid. パリ出身です。 Pari shusshin desu. I am from Paris. ドイツ人です。 Doetsu jin desu. I am German. インドネシア人です。 Indoneshia jin desu. I am Indonesian.

Obviously, this is the hot point of your introduction. Not only will Japanese be flattered, but they will be eager to know why you are studying their language. If you are confident enough, you can speak about for how long you have studied Japanese, how, where etc. .

日本の文化に興味があるから、日本語を勉強しています。 Nihon no bunka ni kyoumi ga aru kara, nihongo wo benkyou shite imasu. I am interested in the Japanese culture, that is why I study Japanese.

You could have closed earlier. But giving more details is the recipe for a good jikoshoukai, after which you will proudly answer the crowd’s questions. Many reasons might have led you to come to live in Kawagoe or in Sapporo. Whether you are in Japan for a short stay out of pure curiosity or for a longer commitment, you should say…

日本語を勉強するために日本に来ました。 Nihongo wo benkyou suru tame ni nihon ni kimashita. I came to Japan to study Japanese.

Whether you are a student or working, the “occupation” has an important place in Japanese culture. The Japanese you are introducing yourself to will not be surprised to hear you stating what you are doing. Students can say that they are studying at University or in a school or state that they are (university or not) students.

大学/学校で勉強しています。 Daigaku /gakkou de benkyou shite imasu.

（大）学生です。 (dai) gakusei desu.

If you are working, the following examples should help you prepare your introduction:

私の仕事は先生です。 Watashi no shigoto ha sensei desu. I work as a teacher.

英語の先生です。 Eigo no sensei desu. I am an English teacher.

スペイン語の先生をしています。 Supeingo no sensei wo shite imasu. I work as a Spanish teacher.

Depending on your level, you can always try to give a more rich jikoshoukai explaining in more details what you are studying or exactly doing at your workplace.

This part would be smart in a friendly context. If  you are meeting new people, it is always enjoyable to share your passions in Japanese. You can speak about your hobbies and what you like in various ways but the two easiest ones are the expression to like (好き, suki) and the word hobby (趣味, shumi).

料理好きです。 Ryouri suki desu. I like cooking.

趣味はスポーツです。 Shumi ha supottsu desu. My hobby is sport.

趣味は漫画を読むことです。 Shumi ha manga wo yomu koto desu. My hobby is to read manga.

We have spoken before of the wonders of the Japanese yoroshiku onegaishimasu an expression difficult to translate in other languages. A jikoushokai usually ends with this phrase, meaning in such context, that you look forward to the relationship with your new friends.

Casual: よろしく！ Yoroshiku! Nice to meet you!

Formal: 今後もどうぞよろしくお願い致します。 Kongo mo douzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu I look forward to our relationship from now on.

Polite: どうぞよろしくお願いします。 Douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu. I look forward to our relationship.

Proper etiquette is very important for Japanese culture. When introducing yourself, make sure that your manner is professional and appropriate. Japanese people usually do not shake hands in professional settings, so usually it is best to just bow instead. People usually bow once at the beginning and once at the end of their jikoshoukai. For casual interactions, handshakes are sometimes OK. Make sure to “read the air” of the situation to see if it it appropriate. In many professional settings, it is best to keep your hands at your sides while you are talking. And avoid crossing your arms if possible!

Now You Can Introduce Yourself in Japanese!

Now, you are ready for your very first jikoshoukai! Always remember that a self-introduction with a group of friends or with your new boss will be different. You can be casual with people of your age, but should always be formal in a business environment. Be even more prepared to give a strong and polite self-introduction for a job interview !

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Master Self-Introduction in Japanese Easily

Introducing yourself in Japanese is a crucial skill to have, whether you’re planning a trip to Japan or learning the language. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with all the necessary tools to master the art of self-introduction in Japanese, enabling you to confidently navigate formal and casual settings.

From basic greetings to cultural etiquette, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make a positive and memorable first impression. Let’s dive into the world of Japanese self-introductions!

Before we start, it’s important to note that Japanese self-introductions depend on the context and level of formality. We’ll guide you through both formal and casual settings, ensuring you’re equipped to introduce yourself appropriately in every situation.

Basic Japanese Greetings

When it comes to introducing yourself in Japanese, knowing the basic greetings is crucial. These phrases will help you make a positive first impression in various situations, whether formal or informal. Below are some examples of Japanese self-introduction phrases that you can use:

These are just a few examples of the many greetings used in Japanese. Remember to adjust the level of formality based on the situation and the person you are addressing. Practice these phrases to confidently introduce yourself and create a positive impression.

Introducing Your Name and Background

When it comes to self-introduction in Japanese, one of the key elements is sharing your name and background. Whether you find yourself in a formal or casual setting, knowing how to introduce yourself properly is essential. In this section, we will provide you with the necessary guidance to introduce your name, where you’re from, and your occupation with confidence and cultural sensitivity.

Let’s begin with introducing your name. In formal settings, it is customary to state your family name followed by your given name. For example, if your name is Sakura Tanaka, you would say “Tanaka Sakura.” On the other hand, in casual settings, it is more common to use your given name only.

Next, let’s move on to sharing your background. When introducing where you’re from, you can simply state the name of your country. For example, if you are from the United States, you would say “Amerika kara kimashita” (I am from America). Additionally, if you are from a specific city or region, you can include that information as well.

Then, sharing your occupation is an important part of self-introduction. In formal settings, it is polite to mention your job title and the company you work for. For example, “Watashi wa ginkō no jōshu desu” (I am an assistant at a bank). In casual settings, you can simply state your occupation without specifying the company.

To help you with your self-introduction, here are some phrases you can use:

Remember, it is important to adapt your self-introduction to the appropriate level of formality based on the setting. By following these guidelines and using the provided phrases, you’ll be able to confidently introduce your name and background in Japanese.

Learning More About Others

Self-introductions are not just about sharing your own information, but also learning about others. When engaging in conversation, it’s important to ask the right questions and show genuine interest. Here are some phrases and questions you can use to get to know others during self-introductions:

Asking About a Person’s Name

When meeting someone for the first time, it’s customary to ask for their name. Use these phrases to inquire about their name:

Asking About a Person’s Origin

Learning where someone is from can help you establish a connection. Use these phrases to ask about a person’s hometown or country:

Asking About a Person’s Occupation

Learning about someone’s occupation can provide insights into their interests and passions. Use these phrases to ask about a person’s job:

Remember, it’s important to listen attentively and show genuine interest when someone shares their information with you. Engaging in conversation with proper etiquette not only helps build connections but also demonstrates respect for Japanese culture.

Sharing Hobbies and Interests

Having common interests can help you form connections with others. In your Japanese self-introduction, it’s important to express your hobbies and interests to initiate conversations and find shared passions. Whether it’s discussing your favorite activities or expressing your love for a particular hobby, here are some phrases you can use to make a memorable self-introduction:

1. Talk about your favorite hobby: 私の趣味は読書です。(Watashi no shumi wa dokusho desu.) – My hobby is reading.

2. Mention your interest in a specific activity: 私は旅行が好きで、新しい場所を探索するのが楽しみです。(Watashi wa ryokou ga suki de, atarashii basho o tansaku suru no ga tanoshimi desu.) – I enjoy traveling and exploring new places.

3. Share your passion for a particular sport: テニスをすることが大好きで、毎週コートに通っています。(Tenisu o suru koto ga daisuki de, maishuu kooto ni kayotte imasu.) – I love playing tennis and go to the court every week.

By including your hobbies and interests in your self-introduction, you’ll create opportunities for meaningful conversations and find like-minded individuals.

Nuances of Japanese Self-Introduction

When introducing yourself in Japanese, it’s important to go beyond the basic phrases and understand the nuances and cultural aspects involved. These subtleties can make a significant difference in how you are perceived and the level of respect you show. Let’s explore some key elements to consider when crafting your self-introduction.

1. Use of Honorifics

Honorifics play a crucial role in Japanese language and culture. They reflect the social hierarchy and show respect towards others. When introducing yourself, it’s important to use the appropriate honorifics based on the person’s age, status, or position. This demonstrates your understanding of Japanese etiquette and helps create a positive impression.

2. Appropriate Body Language

In addition to verbal communication, body language plays a significant role in Japanese culture. Maintaining proper posture, making respectful bows, and avoiding excessive gestures are essential during self-introductions. Pay attention to the body language of others as well, and mirror their actions to establish rapport and cultural understanding.

3. Tailoring Your Self-Introduction

Japanese self-introductions can vary based on the setting, formality, and the relationship between individuals. For example, in a formal business setting, you would provide more detailed information about your professional background. On the other hand, in a casual social gathering, you may focus more on shared interests or hobbies. Adapting your self-introduction accordingly showcases your social awareness and ability to navigate different situations.

To illustrate these nuances further, let’s take a look at the following examples:

By following these cultural nuances and adapting your self-introduction accordingly, you’ll navigate self-introductions in Japanese with confidence, respect, and a deeper understanding of the culture.

Now that you have a better understanding of the nuances involved, let’s move on to the next section, where we’ll delve into the specific requirements of self-introductions in business and formal contexts.

Business and Formal Self-Introductions

In formal and professional settings, self-introductions require special attention. It’s crucial to understand the proper etiquette, phrases, and expectations when introducing yourself in a business or formal context. By adhering to these guidelines, you can make a positive impression and establish credibility.

In a business setting, it’s customary to introduce yourself formally by using polite language and addressing others with proper honorifics. Bowing plays an important role in Japanese etiquette, so be sure to practice and understand the appropriate bowing angles and durations for different situations.

When engaging in a formal self-introduction, it’s essential to exchange business cards. The process of giving and receiving business cards, known as “meishi,” is a significant aspect of Japanese business culture. Always present your business card with both hands and receive it with respect, taking the time to read the card before putting it away.

To help guide you through the nuances of business and formal self-introductions in Japanese, refer to the table below:

Mastering the art of business and formal self-introductions in Japanese will not only create a favorable impression but also enhance your professional relationships. Remember to adapt your self-introduction to the specific context and utilize polite language and gestures to showcase respect and professionalism.

Review and Practice

Now that you’ve learned the essential phrases and etiquette for self-introduction in Japanese, it’s time to review and practice what you’ve learned. This section will provide a comprehensive summary of all the concepts and techniques covered throughout the guide, allowing you to reinforce your understanding.

Take this opportunity to go through the basic Japanese greetings, introducing your name and background, learning more about others, and sharing your hobbies and interests. Consolidate your knowledge by rehearsing your self-introduction speech, ensuring that you’re comfortable and confident when introducing yourself in Japanese.

To further enhance your skills, we’ve included a quiz where you can test your knowledge of Japanese self-introduction. This quiz will challenge you with various scenarios and questions, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned and solidify your understanding of the topic.

Remember, practice makes perfect. By continuously reviewing and practicing the phrases and etiquette covered in this guide, you’ll become more proficient in self-introduction in Japanese. Whether you’re visiting Japan, taking language classes, or building connections with Japanese speakers, mastering this skill will enhance your cultural experience and communication abilities.

How do I introduce myself in Japanese?

Can you give me some examples of basic japanese greetings for self-introduction, what phrases can i use to introduce my name, where i’m from, and my occupation in japanese, how can i ask others about their name, where they’re from, and their occupation in japanese, how do i express my hobbies and interests when introducing myself in japanese, what cultural nuances should i be aware of when introducing myself in japanese, how should i introduce myself in a business or formal context in japanese, how can i practice and reinforce my japanese self-introduction skills, leave a comment cancel reply.

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How to Introduce Yourself in Japanese – All You Need To Know

Today, we’ll teach you simple steps and give you tips on how to introduce yourself in Japanese .

If you’re meeting a Japanese for the first time, knowing how to introduce yourself in Japanese will help you leave a good impression. It’s also one way to impress your boss, colleagues, teachers, or classmates on your first day at work or school in Japan.

• 1.1 What is “self-introduction” in Japanese?
• 2.1 Good morning in Japanese
• 2.2 Good afternoon in Japanese
• 2.3 Good evening in Japanese
• 2.4 Nice to meet you in Japanese
• 3.1 “I am” in Japanese 
• 3.2 “My name is” in Japanese
• 3.3 “I am called” in Japanese
• 3.4 “I’m” in Japanese
• 4.1.1 からまいりました(kara mairimashita)
• 4.1.2 からです(kara desu)
• 4.1.3 すんでいます (sunde imasu)
• 4.1.4 しゅっしんです (shusshin desu)
• 5 Share information about yourself in Japanese
• 6.0.0.1 どうぞよろしくおねがいします (Douzo Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu)
• 7 Is it rude to shake hands?
• 8 Things to Remember!

How to introduce yourself in Japanese?

Japanese people usually start their introduction with greetings and a question that is similar to the English question, “How are you.” When introducing yourself in Japanese, you can do these first.

After doing these, you can say your name, where you live and then followed by other information you wish to share about yourself, such as your school if you are a student, occupation if you’re working and hobbies.

What is “self-introduction” in Japanese?

Self-introduction is じこしょうかい (Jikoshoukai) in Japanese, where じこ (Jiko) means self while しょうかい shoukai means introduction.

Japanese Greetings

The Japanese are taught the importance of the あいさつ Aisatsu or greetings from childhood. It is very important that you start your introduction with the correct and proper greeting. Remember to do your greeting with a simple bow. Bowing is a sign of respect and politeness in Japanese culture .

Below is a list of basic Japanese greetings you’ll use when introducing yourself to others.

Head over to our article on Japanese greetings to learn more about them.

Good morning in Japanese

There are two ways you can say “good morning” in Japanese.

The first way is おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu). It is a formal way of greeting someone “Good morning .”

The second ways is おはよう(Ohayou). However, it’s an informal greeting that has an equivalent meaning to “Morning” in English. You can use this when greeting your Japanese friends.

Good afternoon in Japanese

こんにちは(konnichiwa) is a phrase used by Japanese people to say “Good afternoon” or “ Hello .” This can be used in a formal or informal setting.

Good evening in Japanese

こんばんは (konbanwa) is the Japanese phrase used to say “Good evening.”

Nice to meet you in Japanese

The word はじめHajime means beginning or start. The phrase はじめまして(Hajimemashite) can be translated as “How do you do?”. It is usually the first phrase that one says when introducing oneself in Japan. It literally means “I am meeting you for the first time.” It’s the same Japanese phrase you’ll use if you want to say to someone, “Nice to meet you.”

You may also bow as you say this phrase. Japanese people have also adopted the Western style of handshake so you may do a handshake instead of a bow when saying this beginning phrase for self-introduction.

Saying your name in Japanese

There are three standard ways how you can say your name in Japanese. You can choose from any of the three below depending on the situation and occasion of your introduction.

Remember that in Japan, they say their surname first before they say their given name.

“I am” in Japanese 

One way to introduce yourself is by saying your name. You can usually say it with “I am” plus your name.

“I am” in Japanese is expressed with わたしは (watashi wa). When using わたしは (watashi wa) to say your name, you’ll usually end your sentence with です (desu).

です(desu) at the end of a sentence signifies politeness. Thus you’ll use the following sentence pattern:

わたしは (name) です.

This sentence pattern is one of the standard forms for saying your name.

For example:

わたしは Smith, John です。

Watashi wa Smith, John desu.

I am John Smith.

“My name is” in Japanese

Another way of saying your name is by using “My name is.”

“My name is” in Japanese is expressed as わたしのなまえわ (watashino namae wa). なまえ (namae) means “name” in Japanese. わたしの (watashino) is the Japanese counterpart of “My” so this makes わたしのなまえわ(watashi no namae wa) means “My name is”.

In order to complete this sentence, you’ll use the following sentence pattern:

わたしのなまえわ (name) です.

わたしのなまえわ (Watashi no namae wa) です.

Watashi no namae wa Smith, John Desu.

My name is John Smith.

“I am called” in Japanese

The formal way of saying your name in Japanese is using the phrase “I am called.” The phrase “I am called” in Japanese is ともうします (tomou shimasu).

This phrase is more formal and expresses humility when introducing oneself. It is usually used when you are introducing yourself to someone of higher rank/status.

ともうします (tomou shimasu) is usually placed at the end of the sentence. When using it, you should use the following sentence pattern:

(name) ともうします.

  Smith, John とも うします。

 Smith, John tomou shimasu.

I am called John Smith.

“I’m” in Japanese

When saying your name informally or in a casual way, you can use です (desu).

This means you can simply state your name and add です (desu).

This sentence pattern can be translated as “I’m” in Japanese.

This way is often used when you are introducing yourself to someone of the same age or status such as friends of your friend or in an informal occasion or meeting.

Saying where you’re from in Japanese

There are many different ways of saying where you’re from. Some of them depend on how polite or casual you’d like to say it.

からきました (kara kimashita)

からきました is used when telling someone where you’re from. This phrase is made of 2 words which are から meaning “from” and きました form the word きまし meaning “to come”. からきました literally means “I come from”.

To use this phrase, you’ll use the following sentence pattern:

(country) からきました.

Canada からきました .

Canada kara kimashita .

I am from Canada.

からきました(Kara Kimashita) means I am from. This standard way is the most often used in self-introductions in Japan. It is considered a simple and polite way of telling others where you are from.

からまいりました(kara mairimashita)

This Japanese phrase consists of 2 words: から and まいりました. As mentioned earlier から means “from”. まいりました (mairimashita) is from the word まいりまし (mairimasu) whose dictionary form is まいる (mairu) meaning “to come”. まいる is the formal word for “to come”.

(country) からまいりました.

Canada からまいりました .

Canada kara mairimashita .

からまいりました(Kara Mairimashita) is a more polite way of saying “I am from”. This way is often used when you are doing your introduction to someone of a higher rank/status. It is a more polite and humble way of telling people what country or place you are from.

からです(kara desu)

If you’d like to say where you’re from in a casual way, you can simply say your country , city, or hometown’s name and add からです.

(country, city, or hometown’s name) からです.

Canada からです .

Canada kara desu .

からです(kara desu) is an informal way of saying “I am from”. It is often used when you are introducing yourself to someone of the same age, status, or rank in society.

すんでいます (sunde imasu)

すんでいます (sunde imasu) means “I live in”. It is usually used when you are introducing yourself in a less formal environment/event.  You can use this phrase using the following structure:

(city or hometown’s name) すんでいます.

New York すんでいます .

New York sunde imasu .

I live in New York.

Tokyo すんでいます

Tokyo  sunde imasu .

I live in Tokyo.

This Japanese phrase comes from the word すんでいる (sunde iru) which means “to live”.

しゅっしんです (shusshin desu)

The word しゅっしん (shusshin) literally means “origin” or “hometown”. The phrase しゅっしんです (shusshin desu) means “my hometown, birthplace, or place of origin is”.

It is another formal way/polite way of saying where you are from. It is usually used when you are introducing yourself to someone older or someone in a higher rank/status in a company or school setting.

When using this to say about your hometown, birthplace, or place of origin, you’ll use the following structure:

(name of place) は しゅっしんです.

Madrid は しゅっしんです.

Madrid wa shusshin desu.

My hometown/birthplace/place of origin is Madrid.

Share information about yourself in Japanese

Your reason for being in Japan is most often stated in the self-introduction. It is also a way of telling a little bit of information about yourself. Including such private information makes your self-introduction more friendly and interesting.

わたしはりゅうがくせいです。

Watashi wa ryuugakusei desu.

I am an international/foreign student.

わたしのせんもんわにほんごです。

Watashi no senmon wa Nihongo desu.

My major is Japanese./ I am majoring in Japanese.

In the above examples above, the words りゅうがくせい means “foreign student” and せんもん (senmon) means “major” or “the area of specialization in one’s studies in Japan”.

Other せんもん (senmon) or majors in Japanese are the following:

えいご (Eigo) -English

きょういく(Kyouiku) -Education

すうがく(Suugaku)- Math

いがく(Igaku)- Medicine

Ending you じこしょうじゃい (jikoshoukai | self-introduction)

どうぞよろしくおねがいします ( douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu ).

The phrase どうぞよろしくおねがいします (Douzo Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu) formally ends your Japanese self-introduction. It can be translated as “nice to meet you or pleased to meet you” however its literal translation means “please be good to me/please take care of me”.

This ending phrase is very important because signifies that you are putting yourself in the care of the person to whom you have introduced yourself. The Japanese would often respond with a repeat of this phrase. Thus, this phrase signifies the start of a good relationship.

Is it rude to shake hands?

When meeting someone, shaking hands is uncommon or rather unusual among Japanese. They normally bow to greet each other.

Nowadays, as more and more foreigners are visiting or living in Japan, the Japanese are making exceptions for ways to greet someone. Shaking hands is acceptable and isn’t rude, especially in a business setup.

Things to Remember!

• Keep your self-introduction short but very informative.
• Be polite with your gestures and the tone of your voice.
• Say the words slowly and clearly. If your Japanese pronunciation is not that good yet, it’s okay, as long as you say the words clearly so others will understand you.
• When in doubt, always use the longer phrases for in Japanese, the longer the sentence or the phrases used, the more polite you are.
• If it is a choice between bowing and a handshake, always take a cue from the person you are introducing yourself to. If they bow, you should also bow yourself, and if they extend their hand, take it as a cue for a handshake.
• Be confident, be friendly and be sincere in your self-introduction.

Good luck with your self-introduction! Ganbatte ne! がんばってね！Do your best!

6 replies to "How to Introduce Yourself in Japanese – All You Need To Know"

It helps a lot .. thanks

Thanks for the comment, Mario! I’m glad that our article has been helpful to you. ^^ If you want more lessons, you can check our our blog post. ^^ You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel for video lessons. You’ll get updated when our latest videos become available.

I like bowing, as being a Muslim, We also do not shake hands with opposite gender, In the name of business, we do not break our rules, whether the business or whatever, If Western knows to destroy culture, We know to have good conduct.

ありがとうございます。

Thanks for sharing! I’m glad that our blog has been valuable to you. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel for video lessons. You’ll get updated when our latest videos become available.

These Japanese lessons are helping me a lot. I may be able to use it as I look forward to work in Japan in the future. Doumo arigatou gozaimasu!

Glad to hear that, Arwin! Thanks for your kind words. ^^

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The do’s and don’ts of the Japanese self-introduction

In the summer of 2012, I followed behind my supervisor as she walked me around to each department in city hall, allowing me to introduce myself as the city’s new assistant language teacher. I spoke no Japanese at the time and memorized my entire self-introduction phonetically in the hopes that it would get me by until I had more time to study Japanese.

I remember sweating in my suit, bowing as much as possible, and hoping I wasn’t making too much of a fool of myself… And it worked! I survived!—And after five years here, I’d like to help as much as possible so you don’t have to worry as much as I did when I first came here.

A self-introduction (自己紹介, jikoshōkai , jiko meaning oneself and shoukai meaning introduction) sounds pretty self-explanatory in theory, but culturally in Japan, there are certain procedures to follow. It’s more of a “thing” here as opposed to the English “Hi, my name is…” When coming to Japan to study, work, or take the first steps into diving deeper into the culture, a quality Japanese self-introduction is indispensable.

The Jikoshōkai

As with culture and language in general, even when communication is nearly impossible (which is guaranteed to happen when traveling!), manners go a long way. Nobody will expect a foreign exchange student or tourist to step off the plane and speak perfect Japanese, but reading the situation, bowing, and smiling, will already set a good precedence.

Start with a hello (こんにちは, konnichiwa ) if it’s during the day, a good evening (こんばんは, konbanwa ) if it’s later into the day, or a “ nice to meet you ” (はじめまして, hajimemashite ). Hajimemashite really means something along the lines of “it’s my first time meeting you,” but it’s best catch-all phrase when introducing yourself. If in doubt, just go with this one.

Follow with your name : “________________ to iimasu (と言います, my name is ________________). If you’d like people to call you by a nickname, you can say, “________________ to yonde kudasai (と呼んでください, please call me ________________). Tell everyone your nationality by saying for example, “ Canada jin desu (カナダ人です, I’m Canadian), and where you’re from by saying, “ Kariforunia kara kimashita (カリフォルニアから来ました, I’m from California). By the way, if you take this too literally and tell everyone you’re a Canadian from California, you’re gonna be a big liar on your first day.

These are the basics! Remember these and you’re off to a good start.

Subtlety is an important aspect of Japanese culture. It’s in all the little interactions, the art, the physical gestures , and the language itself. Missing them in the self-introduction, especially if you’ve just arrived in Japan, probably won’t be counted against you, but knowing the little details can give you some bonus points!

In Japanese culture, last names are stated before first names, so remember that in your “________________ to iimasu.” In English, usually people give a small explanation of their job or the name of their profession, but in Japan it can simply be “ kaishain desu (会社員です, I’m an office worker” or “ gakusei desu (学生です, I’m a student).” It’s nice to give one or two hobbies with “ shumi wa ________________ desu (趣味は________________です, my hobby is)” or strengths with “________________ wa tokui desu (________________は得意です, my strength is),” but remember, it’s important to be humble here. People want to know your strengths and what you enjoy, but too much of it will come off as bragging and make you seem overconfident.

Though we shake hands in the west, it’s usually reserved for those of the same or lower status over in Japan. If this person is your boss, your teacher, or somebody you don’t know, then play it safe and bow.—And don’t talk or finish up your speech while you’re bowing. Finish everything you say, and then bow. It’s considered rude to bow while talking. Keep these little things in mind and make a strong first impression. If anything, it never hurts to be nice.

Make it your own

Of course (and as a warning, this is just from my experience, so take it with a pinch of salt), don’t feel the need to stick to this rigid template. Unless you’re interviewing for a big job at a serious company—in which case I imagine you’ll be required to speak pretty fluent Japanese, and probably won’t be needing this guide—remember that you’re there just as much to share your culture and who you are as you’re learning from those around you.

People will be curious and ask questions. Talk about your town, what your plans are for Japan or the future, or even show a special talent you may have up your sleeve. I’ve met friends who came here and sang a song or showed a cool trick when introducing themselves to a class of Japanese kids. Your situation may differ, but remember the basics, mind the etiquette, and have fun with it!

If you want to navigate this situation with ease, the best way is to study in a Japanese language school ; it’s one of the first things you will learn, and the more you learn Japanese, the better your introduction will become!

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How to Introduce Yourself in Japanese: The Complete Guide to Jikoshōkai

Have you ever daydreamed about introducing yourself in Japanese? Maybe you are thinking about getting a job , making friends, or even mustering up the courage to talk to a Japanese person ? Or perhaps you are still learning the basics or want to advance, and it is all a bit confusing. Never fear, your guide is here!

Japanese Self-Introduction:  The Basics

Let’s start off with a “template” for self-introductions in Japan.  It doesn’t matter if your self-introduction is long, short, simple, or intricate;  you’ll probably use the following 3 phrases in every introduction you do.  

1.  はじめまして (Hajimemashite): Nice to Meet You! 

Every standard self-introduction needs to begin with a “hello” and “nice to meet you.” Hajimemashite stems from the dictionary verb はじめる ( hajimeru ), meaning “to begin.” You are using はじめまして to indicate that this is the first time you have met someone, the beginning of your relationship.

Sometimes はじめまして is replaced with a greeting , like おはようございます ( ohayō gozaimasu ) or こんにちは ( konnichiwa ).  Or you can choose to say both like this:  

おはようございます 。   はじめまして。 ( Ohayō gozaimasu. Hajimemashite. ). Good morning. Nice to meet you.

2.  {Name} ~といいます。({Name} To Iimasu . ): My Name Is~ 

Strictly speaking, you can say:

私の名前は{name}です。 ( Watashi no namae wa {name} desu. ).   My name is ~

However, to sound more fluent, you can say:

{Name}といいます。 ( {Name} to iimasu. )   I’m called {name}.

Or the most simple yet fits in any situation phrase:

{Name}です。  ( {Name} desu. ) I am {name}.

3.  Finising Your Self-Introduction – よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku Onegai Shimasu): PleaseTake Care of Me.  

This phrase can mean “Please treat me well” or “I look forward to working with/getting to know you.” It is another way to say, “Nice to meet you.” 

Remember that this is a key phrase used at the end of self-introductions in Japan.  

For a more casual introduction, you could say “どうぞよろしく ( dōzo yoroshiku ) .” 

Both of these phrases come from “どうぞよろしくお願いします ( Dōzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu )” which is the most formal/polite way to say this phrase.   We’ll discuss formality later on in this article.  

Example: Basic Self-Introduction in Japanese in 3 Steps

Step 1: hajimemashite.

はじめまして。 ( Hajimemashite ) How do you do?

Step 2: Saying Your Name

ジョン・スミスです。 ( Jon Sumisu desu. ) I’m John Smith.

Step 3: Yoroshiku Onegai Shimasu

よろしくお願いします。 ( Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. ) I am pleased to meet you.          

2.  Making Your Self-Introduction Longer:  Adding Personal Information

Often when you make a self-introduction, it is important to give some relevant or interesting information about yourself. Here are a few ideas of the kind of information you can provide.

 1.  どこから来ましたか？(Doko Kara Kimashita Ka?): Where Are You From? 

ニューヨークから来ました。 ( Nyūyōku kara kimashita. ) I came from New York. (or “I’m from New York.”)

You can replace “New York” with your hometown or country.

This is the most common phrase for new language learners. When listening to native Japanese speakers, you may notice that they use the word 出身 (shusshin) to ask where you are from. 出身 means “one’s origins” or, in other words, your hometown. However, it can also refer to the school you graduated from. 

どこの出身ですか？ ( Doko no shusshin desu ka? )  Where are you from?

ニューヨーク出身です。 ( Nyūyōku shusshin desu. ) My hometown is New York. (or “I’m from New York.”) 

If you want to be more specific, you can say both your country and city/town like this: 

オーストラリアのシドニー出身です。 ( Ōsutoraria no Shidonī shusshin desu. )  I’m from Sydney, Australia.

The grammar for this is: Country + の ( no ) + city/town + です ( desu ).

2.  Hobbies 

Introduce your hobby or hobbies to share information about you. This is an excellent future conversation starter and will help your new acquaintances to get to know you better.

A helpful phrase to remember is:  趣味は {hobby} を [dict. form verb] ことです。 ( Shumi wa {hobby} o [verb] koto desu. ) My hobby is ~.

1. 趣味は 絵を描くことです。 ( Shumi wa e o kaku koto desu. ) My hobby is drawing pictures.

2. 趣味はギターを弾くことです。 ( Shumi wa gitā o hiku koto desu. ) My hobby is playing the guitar.

3. 趣味は本を読むことです。 ( Shumi wa hon o yomu koto desu. ) My hobby is reading books.

You could leave out the verb and こと ( koto ) to simplify this phrase: 趣味は {hobby} です。 (Shumi wa {hobby} desu.) My hobby is ~.

趣味はギターです。 ( Shumi wa gitā desu. ) My hobby is the guitar.

For some hobbies, there are special words you can use like: 読書( dokusho ): reading books

趣味は読書です。 ( Shumi wa dokusho desu. ) My hobby is reading books.

3.  Likes/Dislikes

Talking about your likes is a bit similar to talking about your hobby. However, saying what you like in Japanese is easy using this pattern:

～が好きです。  ( ~ga suki desu. ) I like ~.

Let’s take a look examples using が好きです.

1. 絵を描くこと が好き です。 ( E o kaku koto ga suki desu.) I like to draw pictures.

2. ギターを 弾くこと が好き です。 ( Gitā o hiku koto ga suki desu. ) I like to play the guitar.

3. 本を読むこと が好き です。 ( Hon o yomu koto ga suki desu. ) I like to read books.

You usually don’t say things you don’t like during your introduction, as it can come off sounding negative or even rude.

If you really would like to say that you don’t like something in Japanese, you could use this sentence structure:

~好きじゃないです。 (~s uki janai desu. )* I don’t like ~.

Or a slightly more formal phrase: ~好きではないです。 (~s uki dewa nai desu. ) I don’t like ~.  

*Note:  While these phrases allow you to talk about things you don’t like, it’s better NOT to use them in your self-introduction. Using these phrases will sound negative and out of place in almost any case.  

If you really feel that you need to talk about things you don’t like in your introduction, a much better option would be to use “苦手 ( nigate ).” 苦手 means “to be poor or not good at something.” However, it is also a more elegant way to say that you don’t like something.  

Examples:          

1. 辛い物は苦手です。 ( Karai mono wa nigate desu. )  I’m not so good with spicy foods. 

2. スポーツは苦手です。 ( Supōtsu wa nigate desu. ) I’m not good at sports.  

4.  Your Activities

These phrases express what you are doing in Japan. You could use this in a club you join, a community event, a language class, or a meet-up, among other socializing situations.

1. 日本語学校で日本語を勉強しています。  ( Nihongo gakkō de nihongo o benkyō shiteimasu. ) I study Japanese at a Japanese language school.    

2. 渋谷にあるカフェでアルバイトをしています。 ( Shibuya ni aru kafe de arubaito o shiteimasu. ) I have a part-time job at a cafe in Shibuya. 

3. 会社員をしています。       ( Kaisha-in o shiteimasu. ) I’m an office worker.       

4. 梅田にある会社で働いています。 ( Umeda ni aru kaisha de hataraiteimasu. ) I work at a company in Umeda (a district in Osaka).    

5. 英語の先生をしています。 ( Eigo no sensei o shiteimasu. ) I’m an English teacher.    

5.  What Brings You To Japan?

In your self-introduction, you can express your reason for being there. These are some examples you can use for semi-informal to formal circumstances.

1. ALTとして働くために来ました。 ( ALT toshite hataraku tame ni kimashita. ) I came [to Japan] to be an ALT.

2. 日本語を勉強するために日本に来ました。 ( Nihongo o benkyō suru tame ni Nihon ni kimashita. ) I moved to Japan to study Japanese.

3. 夫が日本人なので日本に引っ越して来ました。 ( Otto ga Nihonjin nanode Nihon ni hikkoshite kimashita. ) I moved to Japan because my husband is Japanese.

4. 日本の文化に興味があったので日本に来ました。 ( Nihon no bunka ni kyōmi ga atta node Nihon ni kimashita .) I came to Japan because I have an interest in Japanese culture.

Japanese Self-Introduction Examples

Let’s look at some self-introduction examples using the sections covered above. The following two examples are suitable for most situations (at your job, a new school, joining a club, etc.).  

はじめまして。 ( Hajimemashite. ) Nice to meet you.

ジョン・スミスといいます。 ( Jon Sumisu to iimasu. ) My name is John Smith.

カリフォルニアから来ました。 ( Kariforunia kara kimashita. ) I’m from California.

JETプログラムで来ました。 ( JET puroguramu de kimashita. ) I came to Japan through the JET program.

趣味はヨガをすることです。 ( Shumi wa yoga o suru koto desu. ) My hobby is doing yoga.

料理をすることも好きです。 ( Ryori o suru koto mo suki desu. ) I also like to cook.

どうぞよろしく。 ( Dōzo yoroshiku. ) Pleased to meet you.  

はじめまして。 ( Hajimemashite. ) Hello.

アリス・リデルです。 ( Arisu Rideru desu. ) I’m Alice Liddell.

イギリスのロンドン出身です。 ( Igirisu no Rondon shusshin desu. ) My hometown is London, England.

ABC大学で工学を勉強しています。  ( ABC daigaku de kōgaku o benkyō shiteimasu. ) I study engineering at ABC university.

趣味は映画を見ることで、日本の映画もよく見ます。 ( Shumi wa eiga o miru koto de, Nihon no eiga mo yoku mimasu. ) My hobby is watching movies, and I often watch Japanese movies too.

ホラー映画は苦手です。 ( Horā eiga wa nigate desu. ) I don’t like horror movies.

よろしくお願いします。 ( Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. ) Nice to meet you.

Advanced Self-Introductions in Japanese for Business

Now you have some Japanese under your belt, and you’d like to sound more natural. This part is for advanced speakers and will include more formal language, which is perfect for when you need to use “business Japanese.”

 1.  Previous Work History

What did you do before you came to Japan to work? Let’s go through some examples. 

A helpful phrase you may want to use is:   日本に来る前は~  ( Nihon ni kuru mae wa~ )  Before I came to Japan~

1. 日本に来る前は大学生でした。    ( Nihon ni kuru mae wa daigakusei deshita. ) Before coming to Japan, I was a college student.

2. 日本に来る前は高校で数学を教えていました。    ( Nihon ni kuru mae wa kōkō de sūgaku o oshiete imashita. ) Before coming to Japan, I was teaching math at a high school.

3. 日本に来る前はシステムエンジニアをしていました。 ( Nihon ni kuru mae wa shisutemu enjinia o shiteimashita. ) Before coming to Japan, I was a systems engineer.

2.  Work Experience

In this section, you can see how to express your previous experiences.

You can discuss where you were and how long you were there.  

1. 2年ほど前にニューヨークから来まして、ABC大学でコンピューターサイエンスを勉強しています。 ( Ni nen hodo mae ni Nyūyōku kara kimashite, ABC daigaku de konpyūtā saiensu o benkyou shiteimasu. ) I came from New York about two years ago and have been studying computer science at ABC University until now.

2. 去年日本に来て1年間日本語学校で日本語を勉強してきました。 ( Kyonen Nihon ni kite ichi nenkan Nihongo gakkō de Nihongo o benkyō shite kimashita. ) I came to Japan last year and have been studying Japanese at a Japanese language school for a year.

3. もともとロンドンにある会社で働いていたのですが、転勤になって半年前に日本に来ました。 ( Moto moto Rondon ni aru kaisha de hataraiteita no desu ga, tenkin ni natte hantoshi mae ni Nihon ni kimashita. ) I originally worked at a company in London, but I transferred to Japan half a year ago.

3.  Feelings About Working at Your New Job

It’s common for native Japanese speakers to give their feelings or impressions of their new job. Here are some of the phrases you can use to do this in your self-intro.  

1. いろいろとご迷惑をおかけするかもしれませんが、一生懸命がんばりますのでどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 ( Iroiro to gomeiwaku o okake suru kamoshiremasen ga, isshōkenmei ganbarimasu node dōzo yoroshiku onegai-itashimasu. ) (Since I’m new) I may cause some trouble for you, but I’ll do my best.  

2. いろいろと教えていただくことがたくさんあるかと思いますが、どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 ( Iroiro to oshiete itadaku koto ga takusan aru ka to omoimasu ga, dōzo yoroshiku onegai-itashimasu. ) I’ll try not to get in your way and work hard. 

3. いろいろとご迷惑をおかけするかと思いますが、どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 ( Iroiro to gomeiwaku o okakesuru ka to omoimasu ga, dōzo yoroshiku onegai-itashimasu. ) I may cause you trouble, but I’ll do my best. 

4. みなさんのご迷惑にならないように、一生懸命がんばりたいと思います。 ( Mina-san no gomeiwaku ni naranai you ni, isshoukenmei ganbaritai to omoimasu. ) I’ll do my best not to cause you any trouble.

As you may have noticed, the expressions above are very humble. Being humble is a part of Japanese culture, and showing this through your self-introduction can make a good first impression. 

Super Polite Self-Introductions: Using Keigo

If you want to challenge yourself and be super formal or polite, this section will show you how.  

敬語 (Keigo): Honorific Language

This is a step above the standard formal and informal polite language (丁寧語 teineigo ) we have been using thus far.  Keigo is used when you are in a very formal situation or are addressing someone with a very high social status. You might use keigo in situations like job interviews or when speaking to the owner or president of your company. Businesses also use it with their business partners and customers. If you ever go to a Japanese department store, you’ll probably hear the employees using keigo .  

Keigo is an all-encompassing term for super polite formal levels in Japanese.

There are two forms – 尊敬語 ( sonkeigo ): honorific language and 謙譲語 ( kenjōgo ): humble language. 

尊敬語 ( sonkeigo ) is primarily used to honor and elevate others.

When you enter a store in Japan, employees might say “いらっしゃいませ ( irrashaimase )” to welcome you. This is a 尊敬語 word to pay respect to you, the customer.  

謙譲語 ( kenjōgo ) is used to lower your position and humble yourself.

Example: 

します ( shimasu ) → 致します ( itashimasu )

お願いします( onegaishimasu ) →お願い致します ( onegai itashimasu )

Instead of using the standard polite form します (shimasu), meaning “to do,” it changes to 致します ( itashimasu ) in the humble form.

Being Extra Polite: Useful to Know

Here are some words you can use in your introduction to make it much more formal (and professional) and polite.

1. です (Desu)/といいます (To Iimasu) → と申します (To Mōshimasu): My Name is~

We introduced the words です ( desu ) and といいます( to iimasu ) to say your name, but a more polite way is to use と申します ( to mōshimasu ).

申す( mōsu ) is the humble form of 言う ( iu) : to say.  

2. ～から来ました (Kara Kimashita) → 参りました (Mairimashita): ~Came From

Saying where you are from in a standard self-introduction, you would use ～ から来まし ( kara kimashita ), or 出身 ( shusshin ) explained above. However, if you are in a very formal situation, or your audience is people you highly respect, you may want to use 参りました ( mairimashita ), which is the humble way to say “I came (from).”  

3. 改めまして (Aratamemashite):  Once Again

You may have learned that また ( mata ) means “again” in Japanese.  改めまして ( aratamemashite ) is not keigo , but it is a much more formal and polite way to say また in Japanese.  You’ll often hear it in business/workplace situations.  

1. 改めまして後日お電話させていただきます。 ( Aratamemashite gojitsu odenwa sasete itadakimasu. ) I’ll call you again at a later date.

2. 改めまして、本日はお集まり頂きありがとうございました。 ( Aratamemashite, honjitsu wa oatsumari itadaki arigatō gozaimashita. ) Thank you all again, for gathering today.

ご・お (御) (Go/O): Polite Prefixes

In polite language, ご ( go ) and お ( o ) are attached to specific words to make them honorific.

• 迷惑 ( meiwaku ) → ご迷惑 ( gomeiwaku ): trouble
• 作る ( tsukuru )  → お作る ( otsukuru ): to make
• 指導 ( shido) → ご指導 ( goshido ): guidance
• 金 ( kane ) → お金 ( okane ): money
• 土産 ( miyage ) →お土産 ( omiyage ): souvenir

Some words, like okane and omiyag e, always use the polite “o” regardless of formality. If you didn’t say it with the “o” (kane and miyage), it would sound rough and even rude.  

While there are some exceptions, お ( o ) is used for words of Japanese origin, while ご ( go ) is used for words of Chinese origin.

Super Polite (Business) Japanese Self-Introduction Examples

If you need to do a formal or polite self introduction in Japanese in a business situation, these examples would work well for you.

はじめまして。 (Hajimemashite.) How do you do?

本日から配属になりました、スティーブ・ロジャースと申します。 ( Honjitsu kara haizoku ni narimashita, Sutību Rojāsu to mōshimasu. ) I will be joining this company from today. My name is Steve Rogers.

アメリカから参りました。 ( Amerika kara mairimashita. ) I come from America.

趣味は運動をすることで、日本でマラソン大会に挑戦したいと思います。 ( Shumi wa undō o suru koto de, Nihon de marason taikai ni chōsen shitai to omoimasu. ) My hobby is exercising, and I would like to attempt a marathon in Japan.

ご指導のほどよろしくお願い致します。 ( Goshido no hodo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu. ) Thank you for your guidance. Please treat me kindly.

おはようございます。 ( Ohayō gozaimasu. ) Good morning.

本日より入社いたしましたミカサ・アッカーマンと申します。 ( Honjitsu yori nyūsha itashimashita Mikasa Akkāman to mōshimasu. ) I am Mikasa Ackerman, and I will start working with this company today.

日本語を勉強するために一年前に日本に来ました。 ( Nihongo o benkyō suru tame ni ichinen mae ni Nihon ni kimashita. ) I came to Japan a year ago to study Japanese.

日本に来る前は、パラディ島でプログラマーとして働いていました。 ( Nihon ni kuru mae wa, Paradi-tō de puroguramā toshite hataraiteimashita. ) Before coming to Japan, I worked on Paradis Island as a programmer.

趣味は料理を作ることで、最近は日本食にも挑戦しています。 ( Shumi wa ryōri o tsukuru koto de, saikin wa Nihon-shoku ni mo chōsenshiteimasu. ) I’m interested in cooking, and lately, I have even tried making Japanese food.

いろいろとご迷惑をおかけするかもしれませんが、一生懸命がんばりますのでどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 ( Iroiro to go-meiwaku o o-kakesuru kamoshiremasen ga, isshōkenmei ganbarimasu node dōzo yoroshiku onegai-itashimasu. ) I may cause some problems, but I’ll do my best. 

お辞儀 (Ojigi): Bowing 

It is important to show respect and greet others with a bow in Japanese business and casual situations. However, even bowing has levels of formality in Japan!

Bowing in Japan: 3 Types of Bowing

These are the 3 types of bowing you will see (and use) in Japan.

 1.  会釈 (Eshaku): A Slight Bow

This is the most common form of bowing in your daily life. You will use this to greet people shopping, friends, and other instances where formality is unimportant. 

The textbook definition of this bow says to lower your head and torso at a 15-degree angle. However, it’s more of a nod of your head in common practice, like when saying “yes” to agree with someone.  

2.  敬礼 (Keirei): A Polite Bow

This type of bowing is for business interactions such as meeting clients, superiors, or formal meetings.

To do this type of bow, lower your head and torso at a 30-degree angle.

3.  最敬礼 (Saikeirei): Respectful Bowing

This bow shows the greatest amount of respect. It should be used when formally apologizing or in a very formal situation (like giving a speech).

This bow involves lowering your head and torso at a 45 to 70-degree angle.

Your eyes should also be looking down. Both men and women can keep their arms at their sides. Women may also have their hands in front of them, one on top of each other.

Casual/Informal Self-Introductions in Japanese

Let’s take a break from all that formality to look at casual self-introductions. These will be with people your age or younger or in situations where formality is not an issue.

砕けた話し方 (Kudaketa Hanashikata): Casual Language

Casual language usually aims to be as easy and short as possible. You may omit entire words like です ( desu) or particles like は ( wa ) and が ( ga ) when speaking. 

Here are some examples of how to speak more casually using the categories listed above.  

Likes/Interests

1. 旅行をするのが好き。 ( Ryokō o suru no ga suki. ) I like to travel.

2. 釣りが好き。 ( Tsuri ga suki. ) I like to fish.

3. ビデオゲームをするのが好き。 ( Bideo gēmu o suru no ga suki. ) I like to play video games.

1. ニュースを見るのは好きじゃない。 ( Nyūsu o miru no wa suki janai. ) I don’t like to watch the news.

2. 雑誌を読むのは好きじゃない。 ( Zasshi o yomu no wa suki janai. ) I don’t like to read magazines.

3. サッカーをするのは好きじゃない。 (S akkā o suru no wa suki janai. ) I don’t like to play soccer.

Reasons for Coming to Japan

1. 交換留学生として来たの。 ( Kōkan ryūgakusei toshite kita no. ) I came as an exchange student.

2. 日本で仕事を見つけたので日本に来たの。 ( Nihon de shigoto o mitsuketa no de Nihon ni kita no. ) I came to Japan because I found a job in Japan.

3. 日本語を勉強するために日本に来たの。 ( Nihongo o benkyō suru tame ni Nihon ni kita no. ) I came to Japan to study Japanese.

What You Do in Japan

1. 英語を教えてる。 ( Eigo o oshieteru. ) I teach English.

2. 会社員をしてる。 ( Kaisha-in o shiteru. ) I work in a company.

3. 専門学校でデザインを勉強してる。 ( Senmon gakkō de dezain o benkyō shiteru. ) I study design at a vocational school.

What You Did Before Coming to Japan

1. 大学生だったの。 ( Daigakusei datta no. ) I was a university student.

2. 写真家をしてた ** の。 ( Shashinka o shiteta no. ) I was a photographer.

3. 大学院で歴史を勉強してたの *** 。 ( Daigakuin de rekishi o benkyō shiteta no. ) I studied history in grad school.

**Note:   Instead of shite i ru or shite i masu, you can omit the い ( i ) sound and change it to casual form shiteru . (Past tense: shite i ta→shiteta)

***Note: Putting verbs in dictionary form and adding の ( no ) softens the language and makes it friendlier.

Kristin Szabo

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How to Introduce Yourself in Japanese: 16 Useful Phrases

This is a list of useful Japanese phrases that you can use, from basic self-introduction to phrases convenient for making conversation. Master these phrases to make new friends in Japan!

Kyoka Yamamoto

Self-Introduction In Japanese

With a few Japanese greetings on hand, being in Japan will be more fun.

In this article, we have compiled a list of useful Japanese phrases that you can use, from basic self-introduction to phrases useful for daily communication.

Table of Contents:

1. Basic Self-Introduction 2. Learning More About Others 3. Getting To Know Each Other 4. Conversation Tips

Basic Self-Introduction in Japanese

1. Nice to meet you!

[hazimemashite] This phrase is used to greet someone you meet for the first time. Let's practice speaking in Japanese!

2. My name is ◯◯.

[watashino namaewa ◯◯des]

This phrase is used to introduce your name.

If you have a nickname, you say

"Please call me 〇〇."

[〇〇to yonde kudasai]

My name is Tanaka Miki.

[watashino namaewa tanaka mikikodes]

Please call me Miki.

[mikito yonde kudasai]

3. I am from ◯◯.

[◯◯kara kimashita]

Insert the name of your country into 〇〇 to introduce where you are from to others.

I am from America.

[amerikakara kimashita]

4. I am a ◯◯.

[watashiwa ◯◯des]

Insert your occupation, such as student (gakusei), company employee (kaishain), into 〇〇 when introducing your occupation to others.

I am a student.

[watashiwa gakuseides]

I am a designer.

[watashiwa dezaina:des]

5. Nice to meet you! / Thank you for your time / Please keep me in mind

[yoroshiku onegai shimas]

This phrase is used at the end of self-introductions. It can also be used in various situations, like when asking for a favor and signing off an e-mail . It is a convenient phrase to express politeness.

Learning More About Others in Japanese

6. What is your name?

[onamaewa nandeska] This phrase is used to ask for someone's name.

For example, someone with the name Tanaka Mikiko would reply,

"My name is Tanaka Mikiko."

[tanaka mikikodes]

"How should I address you?"

[nanto yobeba i:deska]

This phrase is used to ask someone's nickname.

For example, someone with the nickname Miki would reply,

"Please call me Miki."

7. Where are you from?

[shusshinwa dokodeska]

This phrase is used to ask someone where he or she is from.

For example, a person from Kyoto , would reply

"I am from Kyoto."

[shusshinwa kyotodes]

This is the response that comes.

"I am from 〇〇."

After saying where you are from, be sure to ask where your conversation partner is from!

8. What is your occupation?

[oshigotowa nandeska]

This phrase is used to ask someone about their occupation.

For example, a student would reply,

"I am a student."

This phrase comes after introducing your occupation to others.

"I am a 〇〇."

Getting To Know Each Other in Japanese

9. I like 〇〇.

[watashiwa 〇〇ga skides]

This phrase is used to introduce your hobbies and preferences to others.

I like sushi .

[watashiwa sushiga skides]

To further emphasize this expression, you say

"I like 〇〇 very much."

[watashiwa ◯◯ga daiskides]

I like anime very much.

[watashiwa animega daiskides]

10. How about you?

[anatawa do:deska]

This phrase is used to learn more about the preferences and opinions of others.

11. I went to 〇〇.

[watashiwa 〇〇ni ikimashita]

This phrase is used to tell someone about the places you have been to visit.

This phrase is suitable for striking up a conversation with your Japanese friends, sharing with them about the different places you have visited in Japan.

I went to Asakusa .

[watashiwa asakusani ikimashita]

12. Would you like to go to 〇〇 together?

[isshoni 〇〇ni ikimasenka]

Insert the name of the place into 〇〇 .

Would you like to go to the sushi restaurant together?

[isshoni sushiyani ikimasenka]

Would you like to visit Shinjuku together?

[isshoni shinjukuni ikimasenka]

13. Can I have your Facebook?

[feisubukku o oshiete kudasai] You would like to keep in touch with your new Japanese friends after returning home. Use this phrase to connect with them on Facebook!

Japanese Conversation Tips

[he: so:nandesne] These phrases are used to show the speaker that you are following the conversation and understand what they are saying.

In the event you do not understand the speaker, you say

"What does that mean?"

[sorewa do:iu imideska]

[kawai:] This phrase is used to compliment someone's attire or personal belongings. You can also use this phrase to describe things you find adorable.

[sugoi] This phrase is used when you see or hear something terrific.

"That was awesome!"

[sugokatta des] This phrase can also be used to express your thoughts and opinions about something amazing.

1.Nice to meet you! [hazimemashite]

2. My name is ◯◯. Please call me ◯◯! [watashino namaewa ◯◯des. ◯◯to yonde kudasai]

3. I am from ◯◯. [◯◯kara kimashita]

4. I am a ◯◯. [watashiwa ◯◯des]

5. Nice to meet you! / Please be kind to me! /Yours Sincerely / Thank you for your valuable time! [yoroshiku onegai shimas]

6. What is your name? [onamaewa nandeska]

7. Where are you from? [shusshinwa dokodeska]

8. What is your occupation? [oshigotowa nandeska]

9. I like 〇〇. [watashiwa ◯◯ga skides]

10. What about you? [anatawa do:deska]

11. I went to 〇〇. [watashiwa ◯◯ni ikimashita]

12. Would you like to go to 〇〇 together? [isshoni ◯◯ni ikimasenka]

13. Can I have your Facebook? [feisubukku o oshiete kudasai]

14. I see. [he: so:nandesne]

15. Cute! [kawai:]

16. Wow! [sugoi]

Review Quiz

Challenge yourself by answering the following two questions we have prepared, based on the phrases introduced in this article.

Please select the correct answer for the following multiple-choice questions. (Answers can be found at the end of this article)

Q1. Which phrase should you use to introduce your name to others?

1. isshoni ◯◯ni ikimasenka? 2. watashiwa ◯◯ga slides. 3. watashino namaewa ◯◯des.

Q2. Which phrase should you use to invite someone to go somewhere together?

1. yoroshiku onegai shimas. 2. isshoni ◯◯ni ikimasenka? 3. ◯◯kara kimashita.

Speak Japanese and make new friends in Japan!

By mastering the phrases introduced in this article, you are a step closer to striking a natural conversation with Japanese people. Feel free to put these phrases into practical use and make new friends during your next trip to Japan!

Do you ever use someone's first name in Japan?

In Japan, the use of first names is less common in formal or professional settings. Instead, people often address each other using their family names with appropriate honorifics, such as "-san" attached, especially in initial interactions or in hierarchical relationships. It is more common to use first names in informal or casual environments, among close friends, or among individuals of similar status.

How do you call a Japanese name politely?

When addressing someone politely in Japan, especially in formal or professional settings, it is customary to use their family name followed by the honorific "-san." For instance, if someone's name is Taro Tanaka, you would address them as "Tanaka-san." Using honorific titles like "-san" demonstrates respect and is considered appropriate in most situations, especially when addressing someone for the first time or when there is a difference in status.

What is the Japanese term for self introduction?

The Japanese term for self-introduction is "jikoshoukai." This term encompasses the act of introducing oneself, often including information such as name, occupation, and other relevant personal details in social or formal settings.

Do you introduce yourself with your last name in Japan?

In Japan, it's customary to introduce yourself using your last name, particularly in more formal or professional settings. This practice is especially common when meeting someone for the first time or when addressing individuals in a hierarchical relationship.   However, if you are visiting Japan and/or interacting with Japanese individuals in a more casual setting, it is acceptable to introduce yourself with your first name, especially if it's easier to pronounce than your last name. Your Japanese friends will be happy if you allow them to call you by your first name.

Why do Japanese not use first names?

In Japan, the cultural norm of primarily using family names rather than first names reflects the country's emphasis on hierarchy, respect, and maintaining harmonious relationships. This practice has historical and cultural roots, and it helps reinforce social structure and etiquette. Every individual is seen as an entity that belongs to a family or community; this is why the family name usually comes first.

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Answers to the Review Quiz: Q1: 3 Q2: 2

大学３年生です。旅行している時と美味しいものを食べる時が一番幸せです。

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Japanese Writing Lab #1: Basic self-introduction

In a recent post I announced I would be starting a new program on my blog called “Japanese Writing Lab” that aims to motivate people to practice writing in Japanese, provides feedback on their writing, and allows them to see posts of other Japanese learners. This article represents the first writing assignment of that program.

For this assignment, I’d like to focus on a very common, but important topic: self-introduction, known as 自己紹介 (jiko shoukai) in Japanese.

Self-introductions can range widely from formal to casual, and from very short (name only) to much longer. This time, I’d like everyone to focus on writing a basic self-introduction whose main purpose is to actually introduce yourself to me and others in the group. So while it is a writing exercise, it actually serves an important purpose as well. Try to keep it brief (a few sentences is fine) and stick more to written language as opposed to spoken language. For example, you would avoid using things like “あの。。。” which you might say if you actually spoke a self-introduction.

For those who are comfortable writing a self-introduction in Japanese, you can go ahead and get started. If you have written one recently, I suggest you try to write one again from scratch without referring to it unless you really get stuck.

Once you finish this writing assignment please post it via one of the two following methods:

• For those who have a blog (WordPress or anywhere else is fine): post it on your blog, and post a comment on this article including a link to your post. I also suggest adding a link on your post back to this article, so people who find your post can follow it to read other people’s submissions.
• For those who don’t have a blog: simply post it as a comment to this article with the text you’ve written. [Note: creating a blog is pretty easy and free on many sites, so if you have a few minutes I’d just consider just trying to create a blog]

I’ll be reading through the submitted assignments and will try to make constructive comments. I highly recommend for everyone submitting to read other people’s submissions.

For those who are not too familiar with how to write self-introductions in Japanese, here is a general template to help you get started (taken from this Japanese website). If you want to do your own research on how to write a self-introduction, that is fine as well. Feel free to omit any of the below categories, for example if you don’t want to discuss where you live.

Keep in mind that for a self-introduction in Japanese, it is usually best to use at minimum basic polite language, like ~です and ~ます, since you aren’t likely to be on very familiar terms with those you are speaking to.

General template for  basic self-introduction

僕（私) の名前は [your name here] です。

• Place where you live (住所)

住所は[place where you live]というところです。

• Hobbies (趣味)

趣味は [one or more of your hobbies]です。

仕事は「your current job」をしています。

• Positive ending

[try to think of something positive to close with]

My submission

For each assignment I will give my submission as well, to help give you ideas. Feel free to send me questions or comments about my submission.

For this assignment I’ll keep things pretty simple and mostly follow the template I gave above, but in future assignments I’ll start using more advanced language and get more creative.

僕の名前はlocksleyuです。

住所はオレゴン州のポートランドですが、先週までは南フロリダに住んでいました。

趣味は色々ありますが、最近は日本の小説を読んだりチェスをやったりしています。

仕事はソフトウェア開発をしています。

このクラスで日本語の文章力を向上できたらいいと思います。

よろしくお願いします。

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22 thoughts on “ Japanese Writing Lab #1: Basic self-introduction ”

Hi – I put together a WordPress site today so I could participate in this, and also to encourage me to write in Japanese.

Here’s my basic self introduction article: https://bokunojapanese.wordpress.com/2016/05/30/japanese-writing-lab-1-basic-self-introduction/

I tried once yesterday and once just now to post here and I am not seeing anything getting through. Are these comments moderated? Is there some other issue? I’m sick of retyping my introduction 🙁

The comments are moderated (that is the default setting of WordPress) but I check very often and approve pretty much all comments except for Spam. For some reason I didn’t see any of your comments from yesterday, only two from today.

I’ll read your other comment and respond now.

OK, this blog doesn’t seem to accept Japanese characters as comments (I just tried a third time).

I’m sorry that you are experiencing trouble. I’ll try to do my best help you out so we can get this solved (:

I have used Japanese before in comments. Let’s test now:

こんにちは [<- can you read this?] What happens when you try to write Japanese characters? Can you please make a post like this with some Japanese and some English so I can see what it looks like? Also, what browser/OS are you using? Can you try a variation of either? I am using Safari/Mac OS.

Thanks for the reply! Yeah, I’m reading that. The last three comments I have made that have included either all Japanese characters or a mix of Japanese and English have just…vanished. Like, I click “post” and the page refreshes but I don’t see my comment or even a “Your comment is pending” notification. I’m on Chrome on Mac OS, everything’s reasonably up to date.

Here’s a comment with English and hiragana only: こんにちは Thanks for helping me debug and sorry to be leaving so many comments on the blog ;_;

Here’s a comment with English, hiragana and kanji: こんいちは 漢字は難しいですが、大切です。

Everything looks great now, I can see all the characters fine (: I’m guessing that was just some temporary issue with WordPress.

You can go ahead and try to put your self-introduction now. Just make a backup copy in case it gets deleted again.

You’re not going to believe this, but it STILL isn’t posting. I was avoiding making a new blog because I thought it would be “more work” but now I’m thinking that would be simpler after all.

Thats so weird, I wonder why. Maybe if you make a longer comment it doesn’t like it?

I agree it will probably be easier at this point to create your own blog, and that will have other benefits for you in the future.

But if you still want to try and troubleshoot the original issue I can help…

The good news is that WordPress makes it really easy to set up a new blog these days. I guess in retrospect I should have done that to begin with. Thanks for your help trying to debug this issue! https://nihongonoheya.wordpress.com/2016/06/02/first-blog-post/

Great, glad you were able to make a blog so easily! Will check out your blog later today when I get more time.

Hi, I have been reading several of your articles with great interest. The first that lead me to you was your comments on ‘Hibana’ by Naoki Matayoshi. A friend of mine in Japan is reading this book and I was curious about its content. Your translation is amazing. To introduce myself I set up a site, above link, however it doesn’t really seem to be a blog as such, so I may need to change that later. Anyway it’s accepted the script ok so you should be able to read it. I hope to join in here to improve my Japanese. Thanks for your time, Sylvia

Thanks very much for the comment and feedback!

Also, I’m glad you are interested in joining my program. I checked out your site, but like you said it seems like it isn’t exactly a blog, so I am not sure if I will be able to comment. Without that, it will be hard for me to correct your writings (I found a few errors I wanted to point out).

If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind trying to create a blog on WordPress.com? It should be pretty easy and it’s free.

Hi, Thank you for your reply. I think I’ve sorted it OK. See link below, I’ve never done a blog before so this is new to me! https://kafuka97.wordpress.com/

I just copied what I wrote before, no changes. Many thanks, Sylvia

PS: I do have a website which I have sent a link to.

Hello! My name is Jheanelle, I just found your website today and I think I’ve already looked through have of it. Its amazing. I’m interested in doing the assignments but I don’t have a blog so I’ll post it in the comments section.

ジェネルと言います。今日本に住んで仕事にしています。私は英語の先生です。 色々な趣味があります。例えば、寝たり、韓国の番組を見たり、本を読んだりするのが好きです。 日本語もっと上手になりたいそしてこのブログを見つけて嬉しくなった

どうぞよろしくお願いします

Hello Jheanelle. I’m sorry for the late reply but your message was showing up in Spam on my blog for some reason.

Thanks for the submission. Right now I am sort of taking a break from the writing labs since I didn’t get too much response from my readers, but I will consider restarting them again at some point. There is a few others however I posted (up to #3 or #4, I think).

I hope your Japanese studies are going well.

One minor comment, in your sentence “今日本に住んで仕事にしています” I think maybe you could have said: “今日本で仕事をしています” or “今日本に住んでで仕事もしています”

These might sound a little better.

One more thing, I recommend watching Japanese dramas instead of Korean if you want to improve faster (:

Hello locksleyu, I just posted my self-introduction here: https://soreymikleo1421.wordpress.com/2021/05/21/japanese-writing-lab-1-basic-self-introduction/ Thank you in advance!

Thanks! I just posted a few comments.

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A Guide to Self Introduction in Japanese

Learn essential phrases you need to know to introduce yourself in japanese., i want to learn....

Let’s get you prepared to meet new people with a simple Japanese introduction, or jikoshõkai (自己紹介), which means ‘self-introduction’ in Japanese. Having this language knowledge will be extremely helpful for Japanese learners as it will help you establish yourself among Japanese friends and colleagues.

In this guide, we will look at the basic essential phrases first and then move on to variations of those phrases. You will also learn the proper etiquette and cultural pointers to help you introduce yourself well.

Basic self-introduction in Japanese

The three basic and essential phrases you need to know are as follows:

Hajimemashite (はじめまして) (Nice to meet you.)

[-name-] desu ([name] です) (I am [name].)

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします) ( Please treat me well. )

Using these three phrases as one set is the most concise and also the best approach for your self introduction in Japanese. They should also be easy to remember, and they are just enough to introduce yourself in a polite manner.

Once you’ve mastered these three phrases, you will be all set. This may be much easier than what you were expecting, considering the stereotype of Japanese people as being extremely polite and having many rules for social interaction.

Although there are other versions of these phrases, we will first look at the basic phrases and discuss their cultural aspects. Let's have a look at each phrase one by one.

Hajimemashite (はじめまして)

When you meet someone for the first time, the very first word you need to start with is hajimemashite (はじめまして). This greeting word originates from the word hajimete , which means ‘for the first time.’ Hajimemashite would be the equivalent of ‘nice to meet you’ in English.

We say hajimemashite at the beginning of a self-introduction, and it is suitable when meeting anyone, regardless of age or status.

Stating your name

The simplest way to state your name is by saying “[name] desu. ” You can simply state your name and end with the word desu. A direct translation of this would be, “I am [name].”

Apart from this simple phrase, you can also use phrases such as “[name] to mōshimasu ” ([name] と申します). In this version, you are stating your name in a humble way – this is a version to keep in mind when you find yourself in more formal situations.

You may notice that there is no Japanese word for ‘I’ or ’my’ in these phrases. If you would like to include these words, you can say one of the following two sentences:

• Watashi wa [name] desu . (私は [name] です)
• Watashi wa [name] to mōshimasu. (私は [name] と申します)

Although it is not at all grammatically wrong to say ‘ watashi wa ,’ bear in mind that Japanese people rarely use ‘ watashi ’ in conversation as it is easily understood from the context. When introducing yourself, ‘ watashi wa ’ can be omitted to make it sound more natural to a native Japanese.

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします)

Let’s now look into the phrase yoroshiku onegaishimasu . The word yoroshiku (よろしく) is an adverb that literally means ‘well.’ The expression onegaishimasu (お願いします) is used to ask someone to do something for you.

Therefore, yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします) can be translated as “Please treat me well” or “Please take care of me.” Some even translate it as “Don’t be too harsh on me.”

This expression can also be used in situations other than self-introductions. For example, you can use it at the end of an email, especially in a business situation , as a way of signing off. Since it does not have a precise English translation, it might be difficult to grasp the meaning. It generally refers to an action that will take place in the future, and it expresses gratitude or a request in a polite manner.

In short, yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします) is a phrase that you will encounter in a variety of situations, but for now just remember how it is used to introduce yourself.

A magic word of response

There is a magic word you can use as a response that is definitely worth remembering! The phrase kochirakoso (こちらこそ) is such a useful way to respond to expressions like yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします).

Kochirakoso (こちらこそ) comes from the words kochira (こちら) and koso (こそ). The word kochira (こちら) is a demonstrative pronoun used to refer to something close to the speaker in a polite and humble manner. It can be translated as ‘me,’ ‘us’ and so on. The word koso (こそ) is a particle to emphasize the preceding word.

We use the phrase kochirakoso (こちらこそ) when we want to say the same thing someone just said to us. It is very similar to English phrases like ‘you too,’ ‘me too,’ ‘likewise,’ and ‘same here.’

When someone introduces themselves to you and ends their introduction with yoroshiku onegaishimasu , it is your turn to reply with this magic word.

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‘Nice to meet you’ in Japanese

We have already learned the phrase hajimemashite (‘nice to meet you’) as an essential phrase to know in a Japanese self-introduction. Hajimemashite is only used when you meet someone for the first time. But what if you want to express that you are happy to see someone again? For that, you can use one of the following expressions:

• Oai dekite ureshii desu (お会いできて嬉しいです)
• Ome ni kakarete ureshii desu (お目にかかれて嬉しいです)
• Ome ni kakarete kōei desu (お目にかかれて光栄です)

These can be literally translated as, “I am happy to be able to meet you.” This is a nice way to let someone know that you are delighted to meet someone for the first time or see them again.

The first expression, “ Oai dekite ureshii desu ,” is the most informal. The word oai (お会い) is a form of the verb aimasu (会います), which means ‘to meet’ or ‘to see’ someone. Dekite is from the modal auxiliary verb dekimasu (できます), which means ‘can’ or ‘be able to.’ And the phrase ureshii desu (嬉しいです) means ‘I’m happy.’

The whole expression implies that you have been wanting to meet this person as well. If you are meeting the person for the second time or more, you can add the word mata (また), which means ‘again,’ and say, “ Mata oai dekite ureshii desu ” (またお会いできて嬉しいです), meaning “I am pleased to see you again.”

The second expression, “ Ome ni kakarete ureshii desu ” (お目にかかれて嬉しいです), is slightly more polite, and “ Ome ni kakarete kōei desu ” (お目にかかれて光栄です)’ is the most polite of the three expressions.

Describing yourself

When you introduce yourself, you might want to add some more details about yourself. How can you do that? It is very simple. After you state your name, you can state your nationality, occupation, age or even your hobby. This is a good way for other people to get to know you better.

Just remember to end your self introduction by saying, “ Yoroshiku onegaishimasu ” (よろしくお願いします).

For ways to talk about your hobbies, take a look at our guide to hobbies in Japanese .

Stating your nationality

There are two ways of stating your nationality or where you are from.

One way is to mention the name of your country and add the word jin (人). For example, you could say ‘American’ as ‘ amerika jin ’ (アメリカ人), ‘British’ as ‘ igirisu jin ’ (イギリス人), and so on. You just need to remember how to say your country’s name in Japanese.

Another way to state your origin is to use the word shusshin (出身), which means ‘originated from’ in English, and form one of the following sentences:

Shusshin wa tōkyō desu. (出身は 東京です) (I’m from Tokyo.)

S husshin wa igirisu no rondon desu. (出身は イギリスのロンドンです) (I’m from London, England.)

As you can see, when we use the word shusshin (出身), we can mention not only our home country but also our hometown.

“How are you?” in Japanese

Asking someone “How are you?” is a simple greeting commonly used in English, and it can be a good phrase to start a conversation. You may be tempted to ask “How are you?” in Japanese as well, but this is not common as it is considered slightly too direct or unnatural. Especially with new people you meet, you should never ask this question as it may sound rude. It can only be used when you know the person and have not seen them for a while.

If you do ask this question, be aware that it is considered polite in Japan to express humility, so even if the person feels great, you may receive a modest answer such as 'so-so.'

It’s important to keep in mind that asking “How are you?” in Japanese is not just a matter of language knowledge or translation. Instead, it’s a matter of understanding the nuance and cultural context properly. Sometimes, direct translations do not fit the cultural context.

Japanese introduction etiquette

Bowing is a necessary and natural gesture among Japanese people when they meet each other, which you may find quite awkward in some situations. Therefore, you may need to prepare yourself for this particular gesture of greeting.

There are plenty of rules concerning bowing as etiquette in Japanese culture, ranging from the degree of bending to the position of your hands. It is almost impossible to simplify the description of proper bowing.

As a Japanese language learner, the most important thing is to express your courtesy towards others and show a positive attitude towards Japanese culture. So don’t worry too much about the perfect bow, and instead focus on expressing your sincerity.

With that being said, there are few gestures that you might want to avoid when bowing. Bowing continuously many times gives an impression of silliness or rudeness, and talking while bowing would not make a good impression. Keep these points in mind to avoid being perceived as rude.

Wrapping up

Hopefully by now you are confident in knowing how to give a proper self introduction in Japanese. By using the three simple phrases and following the pointers we mentioned, you will have no trouble making a good first impression on the people you meet.

As a reminder, here are the essential key phrases to introduce yourself in Japanese:

[name] desu ([name] です) (I am [name].)

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu (よろしくお願いします) (Please treat me well.)

With these simple phrases, I hope you will meet a lot of new people and establish wonderful relationships with them. Time to go out and meet people!

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How to Introduce Yourself in Japanese (Formally or Casually)

In Japanese, a one-size-fits-all self-introduction isn’t always appropriate—much like in English!

When getting to know your intimidating new boss, you’d say something like, “It’s a pleasure to be working with you. Thank you for this opportunity. My name is Em,” rather than, “Hey there, nice to meet you! I’m Em! Let’s be best friends!”

How you introduce yourself depends on the situation and level of formality involved.

Below, we cover the most common methods of self-introduction in Japanese, as well as other tidbits you should know (such as vocabulary and culture).

How to Write Your Name in Katakana

Self-introduction in japanese: essential vocabulary, business card culture in japan, how to introduce yourself in japanese (formal), 1. “hello.”, 2. お元気ですか？ (おげんき ですか？) — how are you, 3. … と申します。 (…と もうします。) — i am…, 4. 初めまして。どうぞよろしくお願いします。 (はじめまして。どうぞ よろしく おねがいします。) — nice to meet you. i look forward to working with you., 5. “goodbye.”, 6. optional: 自己紹介させていただきます。 (じこしょうかい させて いただきます。) — i will begin my self-introduction., how to introduce yourself in japanese (informal), 2. お元気ですか？ (おげんき ですか？) / 元気？ (げんき？) — how are you, 3. … です。 — i am…, 4. 初めまして。 (はじめまして。) — nice to meet you., 5. よろしくお願いします。 (よろしく おねがいします。) — please show me kindness., 6. “goodbye.”, and one more thing....

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The Japanese language has a pretty strict set of syllables. It can be difficult for native Japanese speakers to pronounce foreign words and names.

Because of this, it’s important to understand katakana and figure out how to pronounce your name the Japanese way before diving into introductions.

Katakana, like hiragana , is a syllabary where one character represents a particular Japanese syllable. The only difference is that katakana was developed for writing and pronouncing foreign words in the Japanese language.

Using katakana, work out how you’d say your name within the limit of the Japanese syllable system. Here are a few examples:

ジョナサン (じょなさん) — Jonathan

エム (えむ) — Em

ザカリ ー (ざかりー) — Zachary

ジェシカ (じぇしか) — Jessica

Practice katakana and develop the correct way to pronounce your name in Japanese for improved communication.

When introducing yourself, it’s often appropriate to include your position, career, status or any other information about yourself that the other person might need to know. Whether you’re a student, writer or a supervisor at a company, it’s a good idea to learn the relevant vocabulary.

Here are some common words you might use to describe your work in situations like a job interview :

学生 (がくせい) — student

医者 (いしゃ) — doctor

看護師 (かんごし) — nurse

先生 (せんせい) / 教師 (きょうし) — teacher

芸術家 (げいじゅつか) — artist

作家 (さっか) — writer

政治家 (せいじか) — politician

調理師 (ちょうりし) — chef

会計士 (かいけいし) — accountant

兵士 (へいし) — soldier

会社員 (かいしゃいん) — employee

サラリーマン (さらりーまん) — salaryman

フリーター (ふりーたー) — part-timer

監督 (かんとく) / 管理者  (かんりしゃ) — supervisor

エンジニア (えんじにあ) — engineer

If none of these describe you, look up the Japanese word for your profession or the position you hold in your company. It’ll make meeting people much easier, as this is usually one of the first bits of information new acquaintances exchange.

Business cards are important for professional situations in Japan, even for casual networking opportunities.

Study up on Japanese business card culture and put together your own business cards if you plan on working in Japan. It can definitely end up being a major part of how you introduce yourself to other professionals.

Now that you’ve gained some important context on how to introduce yourself in Japanese, let’s finally get into the phrases!

If you just met a Japanese speaker and you’re not sure how to introduce yourself to them, it’s best to err on the side of caution and use the formal register first. That way, you’ll lower your chances of making a faux  pas.

Even in situations where you should’ve used the informal register instead, you’re less likely to offend the other person by being overly polite first than by being too chummy from the get-go.

There are a few formal and polite ways to greet someone in Japanese:

おはようございます — Good morning (used for morning greetings until around 10 a.m.)

おはよう様です ( おはようさま です ) — Good morning (slightly less formal)

こんにちは — Hello (used for greetings from around 10 a.m. to dusk)

こんばんは — Good evening (used for the whole evening)

おやすみなさい — Good night (used right before bedtime)

This is the same whether you’re in a formal or informal situation.

It can be optional, but it adds a sense of caring to your conversation and can help you seem more approachable.

と申します is the more formal way of saying “my name is” or “I am.” Simply precede the phrase with your name. (Note: If you’d like to follow this up with your profession, you should still use … です for that!)

If you’re in a work setting, it may be wise to introduce yourself by your last, then first name.

This extended version of よろしくお願いします isn’t appropriate for all formal situations and is mostly used for first meetings in school or at work.

This phrase is usually accompanied by a nod or brief bow .

In a formal situation, it would be rude to end a conversation with “later, dude.” Here are a few more polite ways to say goodbye:

さようなら — Goodbye

失礼します (しつれい します) — Excuse me (I’m leaving now)

お疲れ様でした (おつかれさま でした ) — Thank you for your hard work (used at the end of a work day)

お先に失礼します (おさきに しつれい します) — Excuse me for leaving first

You could also see this phrase as a way of saying “allow me to introduce myself.” This is a very formal phrase you’d use to introduce yourself to someone at a formal get-together such as a wedding or business trip when you approach them first.

If you’re giving a speech, it would be wise to open with this phrase before beginning the rest of your self-introduction.

In any other situation, this phrase is just a bit too formal to use.

The key to informal introductions in Japanese is to keep things as brief and relaxed as possible, while still being polite and respecting introduction “rules.”

There are a few ways to say hello in Japanese based on the time of day and the vibe of the situation:

おはよう — Good morning (used for morning greetings until around 10 a.m.)

こんちゃ — Hello (shortened version of こんにちは)

おーい！ — Hey! 

ヤッホー！ (やっほー！) — Hi! 

おす！ — Hey! (Used by young men among each other)

よぉ！ — Yo! (Used in a really comfortable setting)

These are common expressions used in casual conversation. You may not get a very in-depth response, perhaps as little as a nod with a smile.

The phrases both literally mean “are you healthy?” but they work just like the English “how are you?”—as a greeting, not an actual inquiry into someone’s health or well-being.

元気？is usually used between good friends, while お元気ですか？is a bit more polite.

Precede です with your name. For example:

ジョナサンです。 — I am Jonathan.

エムです。 — I am Em.

ザカリーです。 — I am Zachary.

ジェシカです。 — I am Jessica.

This is also how you’d use any one of the essential career words we mentioned above. For instance:

学生です。 — I am a student.

It’s quick, to the point and polite without being overbearingly formal.

This isn’t the most commonly used phrase out there, but there are a few situations in which you’d use it. If a friend introduces you to someone or you’re networking with someone but not formally working with them yet, this phrase can help you seem friendlier.

There isn’t an exact translation of this term in English, but the closest concept is that you’re asking your new friend to be gentle with your feelings.

Remember, keeping things short and sweet but still genuine is the key to making a great informal introduction. Here are a few ways to wrap things up:

またね — See you soon

バイバイ (ばいばい) — Bye-bye

では、また — Well then, see you

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This list of phrases might seem a little complicated if you’ve never introduced yourself in Japanese before. Keep in mind that you won’t have to use all of these constantly if you’re planning on traveling to or living in Japan.

Knowing how to introduce yourself in Japanese, however, will really help you improve your overall fluency—and make some friends along the way!

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How to Introduce Yourself in Japanese (Jikoshoukai)

Self-introduction (jikoshoukai) in English is considered to be pretty straightforward. Depending on whether it is a formal or an informal introduction, the choice of words is simple. For instance, if it’s an informal setting, you would say: “Hello there! I’m…”

Then, a handshake ensues, and the small talk begins. If you have enrolled for Japanese language lessons in Singapore, introducing yourself is most likely your first lesson in class. You must have noticed that it isn’t very different in Japanese. Also, just like in English, the setting is an important consideration when crafting an appropriate way to introduce yourself.

Here’s a look at some of the most common ways of introducing yourself in Japanese.

Greeting in Japanese

Japanese greetings aren’t all the same. The way you do it depends on the context in which you use them. For instance, when meeting someone for the first time, you would usually say ‘”O-genki desu ka?”‘ (How are you?). This is likely to be followed by an exchange of business cards.

If this exchange takes place at your job, then you can expect a more formal word of greeting like ‘”Ohayou gozaimasu!”‘ (Good morning). On your part, make sure that you follow up with an equally polite form of reply like “^_^ Genki desu.” If both parties possess the same level of formality, then it is customary to follow greetings with ‘”Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.”‘ (Please take care of me).

There are proper, improper, formal, and informal ways to greet in Japanese and in most other languages. As with the English language, so too does Japanese possess its own alternatives for ‘”How are you?”‘

How to say “hello” in Japan

Just like in English, greetings are governed by time and environment. Whether it is a formal or informal set-up, you’ll need to say hello in an appropriate way. If you want to speak and learn Japanese , you first need to know how to say hello in Japanese. You need to understand that one greeting does not fit all occasions.

Greetings are important when it comes to establishing contact with people. Also, the choice of words and its details depends on whether you are addressing Japanese friends, colleagues, or strangers. It is, therefore, necessary for learners of the Japanese language to master different ways of saying hello in Japan.

Greeting people the first time you see them during the day or night is another way to say hello. Here’s how you can say good morning and good evening in Japanese:

おはよう — Good morning

こんばんは — Good evening

How to Say “Nice to meet you” in Japanese

When speaking of introductions, it requires you to be on your best behaviour. Since interaction is usually the first thing that happens when meeting someone, you need to make a good impression by speaking politely. You can speak and learn how to say nice to meet you in Japanese depending on who it is that you are meeting for the first time.

For friends and family, you can say “O-tsukare sama deshita”. This is a casual Japanese way to say nice to meet you. If it is a colleague that you are meeting for the first time at your job, then saying “Gok shoukai shimasu” (Nice to meet you) in Japanese is the right thing to do.

Self Introduction in Japanese

During Japanese classes, you will learn that what you do is very important for Japanese people and their culture. Therefore, all introductions must include your career, position, and title. For instance, if you were to introduce yourself and say that you are a writer, you must mention that you are a writer, including your employer and your rank (supervisor, manager, etc.)

So, if you are attending Japanese classes for business purposes , learn how to say your profession and title in Japanese aside from your name too.

Suppose you are in an informal set-up. Maybe you’ve met up with a group of young Japanese people for a drink you can greet them in different ways. For instance, you can use:

おす！— Hey! (if you are among young men)

よぉ！— Yo! (used mainly by teenagers)

Then, proceed to introduce yourself. Remember to pronounce your name in Japanese.

Here’s how to introduce yourself in Japanese by saying the following phrases in both settings:

Stating Your Name (Using Watashi wa or 私 は)

When it comes to self-introductions, you need to introduce yourself by mentioning your name in your native language. The polite way of saying “my name is” to someone you just met is “Watashi no namae was_____ desu.” or Watashi wa ___ to moushimasu. (My name is ___). You can also say “To saru shimasu” or と 申 し ます which also has the same idea and meaning as the two phrases we just mentioned.

You can use this basic sentence or phrase when you want to introduce yourself in Japanese. However, if your name is long, it would be more appropriate if you shortened it and used “O-namae wa ___ desu.” If you are already comfortable with the person, you can informally say your name by saying ‘”Watashi wa ____ desu”‘ (I’m ____).

Where You’re From

When someone asks you where you are from, you can answer them by saying “Watashi wa ____ kara desu.” (I’m from _____). If you have a nationality, then you can say it. You can also add your city or your hometown after the word ‘”kara,”‘ which means “from.” You can do so by saying “Kara kimashita” – から 来 ま した which means “I came from ___).

When formally telling someone your job or occupation, you can say ‘Shigoto desu.” (I am a _____). If you are comfortable with the person you’re conversing with, you can tell them what is your occupation in an informal way by saying ‘Shigoto wa _____ desu.” which means “My occupation is _____.”

If you’re a student, you can say this by saying “Gakusei desu” which means “I’m a student”. If you want to tell someone about the school you attended, you can formally tell them by saying ‘”Gakkou de hataraita desu/hatarakaimashita”‘. This means I studied in _____.

If you want to tell someone about your current school, you can say it informally by saying, “Shukudai o suru gakkou wa _____ desu.” which means “My school is _____.”

When you want to formally tell someone your hobbies, you can say ‘”Shumi desu.”‘. If you are comfortable with the person you’re conversing with, you can tell them what is your hobby in an informal way by saying ‘O-shigoto wa _____ desu.’ which means “My hobby is ____”.

Ending the conversation

All conversations should come to an end. You can end it in Japanese by saying’ “O-tsukare sama deshita.”. This is a casual Japanese way to say nice to meet you.mWhen you want to end the conversation, you can say “doumo”. This means thank you in Japanese.

When ending conversations, you should say ‘Otsukaresama deshita.’ This means thank you for your hard work. You can also say Yoroshiku onegaishimasu or よろしく お願い し ます, which means, please be nice to me. People use this method to meet with their boss, adviser, or someone they want to add to their circle.

Informal (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu or よろしく お願い し ます)

Ending conversations in an informal set-up can be done by saying “Yoroshiku onegai shimasu” or よろしく お願い し ます which means Please be nice to me. People who use this basic phrase are those meeting with their new friends, classmates, or someone with who they want to be friends.

Etiquette is an important part of Japanese culture. From greeting them to offering your business card, there are some things you should consider. If you are meeting with someone older than you, you should bow your head slightly down until they look at you again. The length of the bow depends on how much respect an individual deserves for their age or position. Once they have looked up at you, it means that the conversation has ended and the other person is ready to leave now.

Here are some tips to show proper etiquette:

Don’t Talk About Yourself Too Much.

Refrain from talking too much about yourself. Keep conversations on an equal basis by asking questions back to whoever is talking with you and answering any questions that they may have for you. Once you are comfortable enough, start asking your own questions about their lives.

Bowing vs Handshake

Bowing and offering a handshake can show respect and express gratitude. In Japan, you can bow to anyone that is within your age range and of equal status/rank. This is an acceptable way to formally greet someone.

People who are superior or older than you should be bowed to with a short nod of the head. As for handshakes, it depends on who you are meeting. If you are meeting with someone that is older, then shaking their hand is not proper. It would be acceptable to bow while offering your hand for them to shake hands with you if they choose to do so

Holding Your Hands Behind Your Back

When one holds their hands behind their backs, this means that they are at ease. This is the most common way to introduce yourself in Japanese when you meet someone. It is also one of the very casual interactions when meeting someone for the first time in Japan.

Don’t Bow While Talking

Conversing with someone with your hands behind your back is a sign of respect, but if you bow while conversing with someone, then this means that you are very anxious or frightened. If you feel uncomfortable around the person for any reason, then bowing is fine. However, don’t be nervous just because it’s Japan.

When learning Japanese, you should know that introducing yourself in Japan is very much like introducing yourself anywhere else. You just have to start out slowly until you get accustomed to the culture and new language. Eventually, you’ll learn that there are many other ways to introduce yourself in Japanese.

On some occasions, like semi-formal meetings, reaching out to your counterpart is an appropriate and proactive way of introducing yourself. A popular way of doing this in English is by reaching out and saying, “Nice to meet you, I’m….”

An equivalent of this in Japanese would be はじめまして. It’s short, polite.

In conclusion, the key to Japanese self-introduction or jikoshoukai is to keep it short, concise and as relaxed as possible. When learning Japanese lessons , you should always remember that the way you introduce yourself rules if it’s a formal set-up. Also, keep in mind the tips we’ve mentioned to ensure that you are showing proper etiquette.

Tips To Help You Use Japanese Phonetics Like A Pro

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Jikoshoukai (自己紹介): How to Introduce Yourself in Japanese – All Important Things You Need to Know

Do you know how to introduce yourself in Japanese? If you are studying the Japanese language or visiting Japan for travel, school, or business purposes, you will frequently find it necessary to introduce yourself.

Whether you are a friend, colleague, student, employee, neighbor, or anyone else, proper introductions are crucial to developing meaningful relationships with others. It is important to learn how to introduce yourself in Japanese, such as the use of the phrase “My name is…” in Japanese sentences.

This article explores the ways in which you can introduce yourself in Japanese and provides some practical examples. This discussion is beneficial for various situations. Let us delve further into the topic.

In addition, if you are currently studying Japanese, it is also important to familiarize yourself with commonly used expressions in everyday life. Please refer to the following recommendations from our discussion below!

Read also: How are You in Japanese: All You Need to Know Japanese Honorifics: San, Chan, Kun, and Other 15 Great Ways to Say Thank You in Japanese

A Brief Overview about Jikoshoukai (自己紹介)

Jikoshoukai (自己紹介): self introduction in japanese, the japanese cultural aspect regarding jikoshoukai (自己紹介), the basic “jikoshoukai (自己紹介)” practice, the conversation tips for jikoshoukai (自己紹介), the useful words for jioshoukai (自己紹介) to remember.

Before we delve into the basic structure for introducing oneself, let us provide some essential tips for introducing oneself to the Japanese people. When introducing yourself in Japan, you should keep some cultural aspects in mind.

Generally, it is advisable to use formal and polite language while introducing yourself and refrain from disclosing too many personal details immediately.

When introducing yourself in Japan, it’s important to note that the family name comes before the given name. For example, if your name is Kevin Smith, your introduction should begin with “Smith,” followed by “Kevin.”

In Japanese culture, 自己紹介 (jikoushoukai) or “self-introductions” are an important step towards integrating with locals. It is similar to introducing oneself in any other culture. “Jiko (自己)” means “self” in English, and “Shoukai (紹介)” can be directly translated to “introduction.”

However, there are specific cultural differences and procedures one should follow in practice. It is important to make a good first impression, so it is important to learn how to conduct a proper self-introduction.

1. The Basic Self Introduction

After mastering basic greetings such as “Ohayou Gozaimasu” for Good Morning, “Konnichiwa” for Good Afternoon, and “Konbanwa” for Good Evening, it’s time to learn the basic “Jikoshoukai” in Japanese. Here are some useful phrases you need to know.

• はじめまして (Hajimemashite)  This means, “Nice to meet you.” Greetings to people who meet each other for the first time. Let’s talk cheerfully.
• 私の名前は◯◯です。 (Watashino namaewa ◯◯desu.)　 My name is ◯◯. If you have a nickname, you can say 〇〇to yonde kudasai which means “Please call me 〇〇”. Please look at the following example for more understanding. Look at the quick examples below! Ex : 私の名前はタナカミキです。 (Watashino namaewa Tanaka miki desu) My name is Miki Tanaka. Ex : ミキと呼んでください。 (Miki to yonde kudasai) Please call me Miki.
• ◯◯から来ました。 (◯◯kara kimashita.)        Here, you mention your country or region you come from. Look at the example below! Ex : アメリカから来ました。 (America kara kimashita) I come from Amerika.  
• 私は◯◯です。 (Watashiwa ◯◯desu) You can mention your occupation here. Ex : 私は学生です。 (Watashiwa gakuseidesu) I am a student. Ex : 私はデザイナーです。 (Watashiwa dezaina-desu) I am a designer.
• よろしくお願いします！ (Yoroshiku onegai shimasu) It means “Nice to meet you” or “How do you do”. We say it at the end of the self-introduction. You can also use it when you ask for something or at the end of an email. It’s a practical phrase that increases politeness when you add it.

2. The Other Additional Phrases for Jikoshoukai (自己紹介)

• お名前はなんですか？ (Onamaewa nandeska? ） What is your name?
• 出身はどこですか？ (Shusshinwa dokodeska?） Where are you from? If you are asked this question, try to give the answer using the example below! Answer: ◯◯から来ました。 ○○kara kimashita） which means “I am from 〇〇”.
• お仕事はなんですか? (Oshigotowa nandeska? What is your occupation? This phrase comes after introducing your occupation to others. Use the following sentence to answer! Answer: わたしは○○です。 Watashiwa ◯◯desu, which means “I am a 〇〇”　

3. The Other Additional Phrases for Jikoshoukai (自己紹介)

• わたしは○○が好きです。 (Watashiwa 〇〇ga sukidesu. ) meaning, I like 〇〇. Example: わたしはすしが好きです。 (Watashiwa sushiga sukidesu.) meaning, I like sushi. Then, In order to emphasize this expression, you can say the following sentences: わたしは○○が大好きです。 (Watashiwa ◯◯ga daiskidesu.) meaning, I like 〇〇 very much.
• あなたはどうですか? (Anatawa doudeska?) meaning, how about you? This phrase is used to learn more about the preferences and opinions of others.
• わたしは○○に行きました。 (Watashiwa 〇〇ni ikimashita) meaning, I went to 〇〇. This phrase is suitable for striking up a conversation with your Japanese friends, and sharing with them about the different places you have visited in Japan as well.
• いっしょに○○に行きませんか? (Isshoni 〇〇ni ikimasenka?) meaning Would you like to go to 〇〇 together?　 Here, you can insert the name of the place into 〇〇. Please look at the following example to get a deeper understanding! Ex 1 : いっしょにすし屋に行きませんか? (Isshoni sushiyani ikimasenka?) Meaning, would you like to go to the sushi restaurant together?　 Ex 2 : いっしょに新宿に行きませんか? (Isshoni shinjukuni ikimasenka?)　 Meaning, would you like to visit Shinjuku together?　

While knowing the appropriate words to use is helpful, it is equally important to use them correctly. It is important to be aware of cultural differences when introducing yourself in Japanese. Attention to detail in your “Jikoshoukai” can give you a social advantage when meeting new Japanese acquaintances as these nuances hold subtle but significant meaning.

• First name and Family name In Japanese, people usually introduce themselves by their family names or full names. When they introduce their full name, the family name comes first, and the first name comes second.
• Occupation In English, when you asked what you do for work, you give a summary of your job, or the name of your profession.　In Japan, it’s common to answer only , ” Kaishain-desu” (I’m an office worker, or I work for a company.) However, if you introduce yourself to someone in a business setting, mention your company in your self-intro. Example: Toyotaのコウイチと 申します。(Toyota no Kouichi to moushimasu.) Means, I’m Koichi from Toyota.
• Don’t talk about yourself too much Japanese people sometimes say lightly self-deprecating things as a form of humility, but it’s usually followed by something positive. Example: 至らない点が多いかもしれませんが、よろしくおねがいします。（Itaranaitenga ooikamoshiremasenga, yoroshikuonegaishimasu）This means, I might have many flaws, but I’ll do my best so please be kind to me.

However, it is commonly observed that Japanese individuals tend to keep their strengths to themselves. There is no need to state anything of that sort. It’s acceptable to share a couple of your strengths, but providing a list of all your extraordinary abilities may irritate others.

• Bowing VS Handshake It is customary not to engage in handshakes in Japan, particularly if your status is equal to or lower than that of your counterpart. Handshakes between equals are acceptable in Japan. Instead of the traditional handshake, Japanese custom dictates that you bow after greeting. Bowing, or お辞儀 (ojigi), is a sign of respect in Japan. As a general rule, always bow at least 15 degrees and remember to keep your hands in front of you.

Maybe you’ve been giving your Japanese self-introduction for an extended period, reciting the same three phrases repeatedly. Perhaps you have already read this manual and comprehended the fundamentals. It’s time to enhance! The following are examples of expressions you can integrate into your typical “Jikoshoukai” to add piquancy and make your self-introduction unforgettable.

1. Say “はじめまして (nice to meet you)”

Earlier we learned how to use “Hajimemashite ( はじめまして)” (nice to meet you, how do you do). Here’s a few ways to add to this set phrase.

2. Mention your “name”

For formal situations, it is recommended to use both your first and last names when introducing yourself. In more casual situations, it is common for Japanese individuals to use only their family name. Here are a few different ways to introduce yourself, listed in ascending order of politeness. Look at the following example for further understanding!

3. Say “please be kind to me”

When introducing oneself in Japan, it is common practice to use a phrase that requests a favorable impression, such as “Please treat me kindly” or “Please remember me favorably.” Once the standard greeting of “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu” is mastered, one can then explore more casual or formal variations. Below are variations arranged by level of politeness.

4. Say “where you are from”

“Shusshin ( 出身 )” refers to a person’s place of birth or upbringing, rather than their current location. “Mairu ( 参る or まいる )” is a more modest alternative to “Kuru (来る)” or “Iku (行く)”. Thus, when discussing one’s place of origin in the phrase “アメリカから参りました,” using “Mairu (参る)” conveys humility and should be used appropriately.

5. Say “your school: Daigaku (大学) or University/College”

School, from elementary through university, plays a significant role in Japanese culture. Expect to be asked about your alma mater and area of study. Alternatively, preempt the inquiry by incorporating the information into your “Jikoshoukai.” Look at the following example!

• わたしは Ⓐ 大学 Ⓑ 学部 Ⓒ科 出身です。 Watashiwa Ⓐ Daigaku Ⓑ Gakubu Ⓒ Ka Shusshinn desu. This means I graduated from the Ⓒ department of the faculty of Ⓑ of Ⓐ University.
• わたしは Ⓐ 大学 Ⓑ 学部 Ⓒ科 の学生です。 Watashiwa Ⓐ Daigaku Ⓑ Gakubu Ⓒ Ka no Gakusei desu. This means I am a student of the Ⓒ department of the faculty of Ⓑ of Ⓐ University.

6. Mention “your work”

A quick grammar note: some of the Jikoshoukai example sentences use the continuous state conjugation of “Suru (する)” which is “Shiteimasu (しています)”. To enhance politeness, replace “Shiteimasu (しています)” with “Shiteorimasu (しております)”. This simple switch will enable you to convey your work situation in a professional manner to CEOs and presidents.

7. Say “where you live”

In the Japanese we call it, “Sumu (住む or すむ)” which means live.

Introduce yourself, what you like to eat most and what your hobbies are. Please look at the following points!

1. Occupation

How was that? If you have the opportunity to introduce yourself in Japanese, there are many ways to do so. Saying a few phrases can lead to great conversations in the Japanese community and help you make lots of friends.

To sum up this article, please let us recall again the above information in the following points! Please review them together here!

• “ Jiko ” refers to the English word “ self ” while “ Shoukai ” can directly be translated to “ introduction . You must be careful to use a formal and polite Japanese style and not tell too much about yourself or reveal too many personal details.
• In Japan, the family name always comes first . There are a lot of “ Jikoshoukai ” phrases that go beyond the basic introduction, so make the most of them. It’s better to improve the advanced self-introduction when you’ve mastered the basic self-introduction so that you can converse even better.

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How To Introduce Yourself in Japanese. EASY Phrases

Want to know how to introduce yourself in Japanese?

Quick and easy answer – just say:

• I am (name) .
• English Pronunciation: Watashi wa  (name) desu.
• Japanese: 私は (name) です。

But if you want to sound a little smarter… and introduce yourself the RIGHT way in Japanese…

…you should read on and see the FULL way to introduce yourself. And the beauty of this is…

If you learn to how to introduce yourself in Japanese, you can handle most simple Japanese conversations .

So, here’s what you’ll need for a self Japanese self introduction. You can also use this as a Japanese bio in your social profiles.

I’ll give you two ways.

The first one is a simple and easy one that most people use. It includes “my name is…” and “nice to meet you.” The second one is more lengthy where you can talk about yourself in more detail.

Way #1: The quick way to introduce yourself.

Everyone uses this. It’s used when meeting new people.

1. Nice to meet you – 初めまして

• English Pronunciation: Hajimemashite
• Japanese: 初めまして

“Hajimemashite (ha-jee-meh-mashte)” is how you say “nice to meet you” in Japanese. This word does not literally mean “nice to meet you” but it’s one of the many “ Japanese set phrases ” that are used without thinking.

2. My name is  (name) – 私は (name) です

There can be several variations.

You should also listen and hear real Japanese – Press play below. Try this   Free Lesson from JapanesePod101.com (click here to visit) for the complete explanation about introducing yourself!

Or, you can try this.

• My name is (name).
• English Pronunciation: Watashi no namae wa  (name) desu –
• Japanese: 私の名前は (name) です。

Finally, you can try the most casual way to introduce yourself in Japanese.

• I’m (name)
• English Pronunciation:  (name)  desu.
• Japanese: (name) です。 (Note: this is very casual)

Finally, you need this next final phrase.

3. Please treat me well – よろしくお願いします。

• English Pronunciation: Yoroshiku onegaishimasu
• Japanese: よろしくお願いします。

What in the world is “Please treat me well?”  It is a rough translation and has no equivalent in English. This is simply a “ Japanese set phrase ” that   you need to use in such encounters and first time meetings. Why? Because that’s how the Japanese language and culture work. Because politeness. And because why wouldn’t you be treating a new person well?

So, here’s your script you can use.

初めまして。私は (name) です。よろしくお願いします。 Hajimemashite. Watashi wa (name)   desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

You can use this safely as it’s quite polite. If you want to a super cool and casual introduction, then just drop a few words.

(name) です。よろしく。 (name)   desu. Yoroshiku.

Way #2 – the 自己紹介 (jikoshoukai)

In other words, this is your elevator pitch that you’ll use over and over when you need to talk about yourself.

In Japanese, this is called a jikoshoukai (自己紹介) or self-introduction, that’s a lot more detailed than the method we used above. It’s often used in group settings when everyone has to say a little about themselves. For example, you’ll hear this at work events or group dates.

This second method is very useful to know because now you can talk about yourself.

• Hello, nice to meet you.
• My name is ……
• I am from …….
• I am …… years old.
• I am a (student/occupation).
• I’ve been learning Japanese for…
• I am learning Japanese because…
• Please treat me well.

Here’s how to introduce yourself in Japanese with the full “jikoshoukai.”

1. こんにちは, 初めまして  – Hello, nice to meet you.

• Hello – konnichiwa – こんにちは

First, we have the word “konnichiwa” which is just a way to say hello in Japanese .

• Nice to meet you – Hajimemashite – 初めまして

2. (name) です My name is ……

• (name) desu.

So, if you’re Bob, you say “Bob desu.”

3. (Place) からきました。 I am from …….

• (Place) kara kimashita. (Place) からきました。
• Use it to say where you’re from.

Being able to talk about where are you from in Japanese is a must. Japanese people will also ask you so you should have an answer ready. Or, you can mention your ethnicity or nationality instead.

• Amerikajin desu. アメリカ人です。
•  I am American.

4. (age)歳です。 I am …… years old.

• (age) sai desu. (age) 歳です。

For this one, you will need to know Japanese numbers . Here are some random examples though:

• Ni juu go sai desu.
• Juu kyuu sai desu.
• Ni juu nana sai desu.
• San juu yon sai desu.

5. (position)です。 I am a (student/occupation).

Next, you may want to talk about what you do. Whether  you’re a student or working.

• I am a student: gakusei desu. 学生です。
• My job is programming: Watash no shigoto wa puroguramingu desu.  仕事プログラミングです。
• Just means “I’m doing (job), ” as if you’re answering “What do you do.”

6. I’ve been learning Japanese for…

This line is also good to know. If you’re decent, Japanese people will be impressed and will want to know how long you’ve been learning for.

• example: 1 year.  Ichi nen kan nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu. 一年 間日本語を勉強しています。

7. I am learning Japanese because…

Of course, being able to talk about your reason is also important. People will ask you.

• example: Because you’re interested in Japan.
• Nihon ni kyoumi ga aru kara, nihongo o benyoishiteimasu. 日本に興味があるから、日本語をべんきょうしています。

9. Please treat me well

• Yoroshiku onegaishimasu – よろしくお願いします。

This “yoroshiku onegaishimasu” is one of the most common Japanese set phrases that’s used all the time. You’ll hear it a lot. It has various meanings depending on the context, but here… it’s just “please treat me well” or “be good to me.” Don’t think it much here.

So, here’s your Japanese introduction script.

こんにちは, 初めまして。私は (name) です。アメリカ人です。 (age) 歳です。仕事は (job) です。  (time) 間日本語を勉強しています。 (reason) だ/から、日本語をべんきょうしています。よろしくお願いします。

Or, if you can’t read yet and just want to say it out loud:

Konnichiwa, Hajimemashite. Watashi wa (name) desu. Amerikajin desu. ( age) sai desu. Shigoto wa (job) desu. (Time) kan nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu. (Reason) da/kara, nihongo o benkyoushiteimasu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

Conclusion – Back To You!

Did you notice that I took out all of the “watashi wa” from most of the sentences?

Why did I do that?

You should omit 90% of the “watashi’s” there to sound more natural.

After you said it once, people understand you’re talking about yourself. Japanese is a very context-heavy language and there’s no point in going “watashi wa… watashi wa… watashi wa…” in every sentence because you already set the context.

So, that’s how to introduce yourself in Japanese naturally.

And you can use the phrases above for your Japanese bio on your socials.

Here’s what you do now.

• Create your self introduction.
• Leave me a comment and introduce yourself.
• And start learning even more Japanese.

– The Main Junkie

P.S. For a similar guide, check out this other article: how to introduce yourself in Japanese .

P.P.S. I highly recommend this for Japanese learners. If you REALLY want to learn to Japanese with effective lessons by real teachers – Sign up for free at JapanesePod101 (click here) and start learning!

[…] This is a great question to know as you will hear it millions of times. In your cause, someone may ask you and you will have to introduce yourself in Japanese. […]

[…] If you want be able to answer this question, then you’ll need to learn how to introduce yourself in Japanese. […]

[…] How To Introduce Yourself in Japanese: 2 Best Ways […]

I’ve never heard a Japanese person pause between saying their last name and first name. They always say both names together as if their names were just one long word and they blurt it out as fast as humanly possible. They say such a mouthful and are completely incomprehensible

Unless it’s a formal occasion, why do they need to give both names?

I always dread hearing their names.

初めまして。私の名前はケイリンです。アメリカ人です。１月にはじめて日本にいきます。私はXで作家です。6ヶ月間日本語をべんきょうしています。日本に住みたいから、日本語をべんきょうしています。よろしくお願いします。:D

初めまして。私の名前はケイリンです。アメリカ人です。１月にはじめて日本にいきます。私はXで作家です。6ヶ月間日本語をべんきょうしています。私は日本に住みたいから、日本語をべんきょうしています。よろしくお願いします。：D

I didnt really like to repeat watashi, watashi, watashi… sounds really bad. Could you teach us more ways of saying this for example “‘name’ to moushimasu” instead of using watashi so much, please? Thank you!

こんにちわ! ジョナサンさんです! よろしく!

please help me

はじめまして。私はワイクルー•ロリーです。ユタから来ました。23歳です。スノー短期大学の生徒です。1年生です。私は1年間日本語を勉強しています。まだ上手じゃありません。日本に興味があるから, 日本語をべんよいしています。よろしくお願いします。

こんにちは, 初めまして。私はAlexです。 Nice! Great lesson!

[…] Remember how to introduce yourself in Japanese?(click) It follows the same pattern. […]

[…] Japanese Phrases: How To Introduce Yourself in Japanese […]

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How to Say “My Name is,” in Japanese and More!

When you’re learning Japanese and starting to make new friends, or visiting Japan for travel, school, or business, there will be many occasions where you need to introduce yourself. Introducing yourself is always important in starting a good relationship with someone: friends, peers, students, co-workers, neighbors, etc.

Hence, it’s important to learn things like how to say “My name is,” in Japanese, as well as other ways of introducing yourself in Japanese phrases.

There are some tips to keep in mind when it comes to introducing yourself in Japan, from a cultural perspective. For example, you should usually use a formal and polite style of Japanese when you introduce yourself, and it’s better not to talk about yourself too much or give too many personal details right away.

Ready to learn how to introduce yourself and learn Japanese with us? Here’s our list of practical phrases and tips for introducing yourself in Japanese words.

P.S., you can find more information on how to introduce yourself in Japanese business on our site!

Table of Contents

• Identifying Yourself
• Stating Your Name
• Stating Your Age
• Stating Where You’re From
• Placing Yourself in Society
• Sharing Personal Details
• Conclusion: How JapanesePod101 Can Help You Learn More Japanese

1. Identifying Yourself

1- Greeting

The first thing you do when meeting someone, before introducing yourself, is offer them a greeting. There’s also a greeting word the Japanese use to close an introduction, which we’ll familiarize you with below. These can also be good ways of how to introduce yourself in Japanese interviews.

Romanization: Hajimemashite. English Translation: Nice to meet you.

When you first meet someone, Hajimemashite , or “Nice to meet you” in Japanese, is the first word of greeting. Hajimemashite means to start knowing someone new or to start a new relationship with someone. Essentially, it’s a good way to introduce yourself in Japanese.

This term is formal and can be used for any occasion. For a very official occasion, there’s another way to say “Nice to meet you,” more politely and with respect: お会いできて光栄です。( O-ai dekite kōei desu. ). Keep in mind that this may be a good phrase for how to introduce yourself in Japanese email.

• はじめまして。私はマリコです。 Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Mariko desu. Nice to meet you. I am Mariko.

Note: Watashi wa meaning in Japanese is “(as for) me.”

2. よろしくお願いします。

Romanization: Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. English Translation: Please treat me well.

This is used at the end of an introduction, after you’ve finished introducing yourself. It actually has many meanings, but in this case, it means “Please treat me well,” or “Please be nice/kind to me.” This may sound awkward in English, but it’s an important greeting phrase in Japan to show your gratitude and humbleness, especially in hoping to have a good relationship with that person. In a casual situation, you can just say Yoroshiku as a shortened version.

• 今日からここで働きます鈴木です。よろしくお願いします。 Kyō kara koko de hatarakimasu Suzuki desu. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. I am Suzuki and I start work here today. Please be good to me.

When you greet and introduce yourself for the first time, most of the time you should bow and shake hands.

2. Stating Your Name

Learning how to say your name is an essential aspect of Japanese introductions, especially when it comes to how to introduce yourself in Japanese for interview. Following Hajimemashite , it’s very common to state your name to start your introduction in Japanese. There are a few ways to say your name in Japanese.

Romanization: Watashi wa Yumi desu. English Translation: I am Yumi.

This is the most common phrase to tell someone your name.

• Watashi = I
• wa = am / is / are
• desu = This is a Japanese 述語 ( Jutsugo ) or predicate in a polite style, which is added to the end of a sentence.

2- 私はユミと言いいます。

Romanization: Watashi wa Yumi to iimasu. English Translation: I am called Yumi .

This is another typical way to say your name in Japanese. It literally means “I am said to be Yumi.”

• iimasu = This is a conjugated form of 言う ( iu ) which means “to say.”
• To = This is a Japanese postpositional particle which means “as” in this case.

This phrase sounds a bit more formal. In order to say it even more politely for an official occasion, you can say mōshimasu instead of iimasu , which is the respectful form ( Keigo 敬語 ) of “say” in Japanese.

3- 私の名前はユミです。

Romanization: Watashi no namae wa Yumi desu. English Translation: My name is Yumi.

When you’re asked “What is your name?”, you can answer with this phrase.

• namae = name
• Watashi no namae = my name

4- ユーミンと呼んでください。

Romanization: Yūmin to yonde kudasai. English Translation: Please call me Yūmin .

If you have a nickname or あだ名 ( adana ) which is different from your real name, you can use this phrase after introducing your actual name.

• yonde = This is a conjugation of 呼ぶ ( yobu ) which means “to call.”
• kudasai = This is a Japanese Jutsugo (述語) or predicate in a polite style which means “please (call me)” in this case.

3. Stating Your Age

It’s not very common to state your age to a person you meet for the first time, especially if you’re an adult woman. In some situations, however, you’re expected to introduce your age or when you were born. On such occasions, here are some expressions for how to state your age.

1- 私は16歳です。

Romanization: Watashi wa 16-sai desu. English Translation: I am 16 years old.

• sai is “year(s) old.”
• For Japanese numbers, please visit here for more details.
• “Twenty” is ni-jū as a Japanese number, but it’s read as はたち ( hatachi ) only when it’s expressed as an age.

2- 私は今年25歳になります。

Romanization: Watashi wa kotoshi 25-sai ni narimasu. English Translation: I become 25 years old this year.

• kotoshi is “this year.”
• ni is a Japanese particle which is usually used to indicate destination or direction. In this case, it indicates the result of change.
• narimasu is a conjugated form of なる ( naru ) which means “to become.”

3- 私は1990年生まれです。

Romanization: Watashi wa 1990-nen umare desu. English Translation: I was born in 1990.

You can also express your age by stating the year of your birth. This phrase is a common answer when you’re asked when you were born, in situations such as confirming your legal age when you buy cigarettes or alcohol (the legal age for these is twenty in Japan).

• nen is “year.”
• umare is “was born” in noun form.
• For example, “1990” in Japanese numbers is read “one-thousand nine-hundred ninety” in Japanese, which is sen kyū-hyaku kyū-jū .

4. Stating Where You’re From

When thinking about how to introduce yourself in a Japanese job interview, in particular, you should learn how to talk about where you’re from. Different regions have different features. It’s common to state where you’re from in your introduction in Japan. When you find that someone is from the same city or region of your city, it makes it easier to familiarize yourselves with each other.

1- 私は東京出身です。

Romanization: Watashi wa Tōkyō shusshin desu. English Translation: I am from Tokyo.

• shusshin is a noun word which means “come from” or “a place of one’s origin.”
• If you’re a foreign person in Japan, state your country.

2- 私はカナダ人です。

Romanization: Watashi wa Canada-jin desu. English Translation: I am Canadian.

• You can also state your nationality or ethnicity instead of the country you’re from.
• jin denotes nationality when it’s attached to the name of a country.

3- 私は大阪に住んでいます。

Romanization: Watashi wa Ōsaka ni sunde imasu. English Translation: I live in Osaka.

• You can also mention where you reside now.
• Sunde imasu is a conjugated form of 住む ( sumu ) which means “(I am) living.”

5. Placing Yourself in Society

1- Stating Your School and Major [for Students]

1. 私は東京大学に通っています。.

Romanization: Watashi wa Tōkyō Daigaku ni kayotte imasu. English Translation: I go to Tokyo University.

• daigaku is “university.”
• kayotte imasu is a conjugated form of 通う ( kayō ) which means “(I am) going” when talking about a place where you constantly and repeatedly go.
• Vocabulary related to school : – 大学 ( Daigaku ) — University – 短期大学 ( Tanki daigaku ) — Junior college – 専門学校 (Senmon gakkō) — Vocational school / Technical school – 高校 ( Kōkō ) — High school – 中学校 ( Chūgakkō ) — Middle high school – 小学校 ( Shōgakkō ) — Elementary school

2. 私は経済学を学んでいます。

Romanization: Watashi wa keizaigaku o manande imasu. English Translation: I study economics.

• keizai is “economics” and gaku denotes a subject.
• Vocabulary related to subjects: – 経営 ( Keiei ) — Business management – 法律 ( Hōritsu ) — Law – 生物 ( Seibutsu ) — Biology – 国際関係 ( Kokusai kankei ) — International relations – 情報技術 ( Jōhō gijutsu ) — Information technology – 金融 ( Kinyū ) — Finance – 芸術 ( Geijutsu ) — Art – 心理学 ( Shinrigaku ) — Psychology

2- Stating Your Profession [for Workers]

1. 私は看護師です。.

Romanization: Watashi wa kangoshi desu. English Translation: I am a nurse.

• Put the word for your occupation where the underlined word is in the example.
• Vocabulary related to occupation: – 看護師 ( Kangoshi ) — Nurse – コンピュータープログラマー ( Konpyūtā puroguramā ) — Computer programmer – 医者 ( Isha ) — Doctor – 先生 ( Sensei ) — Teacher – 販売員 ( Hanbaiin ) — Shop staff – 会計士 ( Kaikeishi ) — Accountant – スポーツインストラクター ( Supōtsu insutorakutā ) — Sports instructor – 美容師 ( Biyōshi ) — Hairdresser

2. 私は銀行で働いています。

Romanization: Watashi wa ginkō de hataraite imasu. English Translation: I work at a bank.

This is another phrase used to mention where you work.

• de means “at.”
• hataraite imasu is a conjugated form of 働く ( hataraku ) which means “(I am) working.”
• Vocabulary related to where you work: – 銀行 ( Ginkō ) — Bank – 会社 ( Kaisha ) — Company [general term] – 貿易会社 ( Bōekigaisha ) — Trading company – 広告会社 ( Kōkokugaisha ) — Advertising company – 建築事務所 ( Kenchiku jimusho ) — Architectural firm – アパレル会社 ( Aparerugaisha ) — Apparel/clothing company – 病院 ( Byōin ) — Hospital – レストラン ( Resutoran ) — Restaurant – デパート ( Depāto ) — Department store

In Japan, people often introduce themselves by saying which company they work for, but it’s also nice to explain what you do for work as a profession.

6. Sharing Personal Details

1- information about your family and pets.

Here’s some information on how to introduce yourself and your family in Japanese! After all, family is a universal topic and one that’s so important.

1. 私は5人家族です。

Romanization: Watashi wa go-nin kazoku desu. English Translation: I have a family of five members.

It’s common to say how many members are in your family. Put the number of members in your family in place of the underlined go (“five”) in the example sentence.

• nin is a counter word used to count people, which means “person,” and it’s attached after a number.
• kazoku means “family.”

2. 私は姉と弟がいます。

Romanization: Watashi wa ane to otōto ga imasu. English Translation: I have a big sister and a younger brother.

You can also introduce how many brothers and sisters you have. For more details about family, please visit Family in Japan.

• ane means “older sister.”
• otōto means “younger brother.”
• imasu is a conjugated form of いる ( iru ) which means “there is/are” in a polite style.

3. 私は犬を飼っています。

Romanization: Watashi wa inu o katte imasu. English Translation: I have a dog.

• inu means “dog.”
• o indicates an object.
• katte imasu is a conjugated form of 飼う ( kau ) which means “(I am) keeping and raising (animals).”
• Vocabulary related to pets: – 犬 ( Inu ) — Dog – ハムスター ( Hamusutā ) — Hamster – 小鳥 ( Kotori ) — Small bird(s) – ヘビ ( Hebi ) — Snake – うさぎ ( Usagi ) — Rabbit – ねこ ( Neko ) — Cat

2- Describing Hobbies

1. 私の趣味は登山です。.

Romanization: Watashi no shumi wa tozan desu. English Translation: My hobby is climbing mountains.

It’s always nice to introduce what you like to do in your free time in order to let people know more about you. It’s common to share information about your hobbies in Japan, unless it’s too personal (such as political or religious activities).

• Watashi no means “my.”
• shumi means “hobby.”
• Vocabulary related to hobbies: – 登山 ( Tozan ) — Climbing mountains – 映画鑑賞 ( Eiga kanshō ) — Watching movies – 写真 ( Shashin ) — Photography – 旅行 ( Ryokō ) — Traveling – マンガ ( Manga ) — Comics – スキー ( Skī ) — Ski – サーフィン ( Sāfin ) — Surfing

2. 私はサッカーが得意です。

Romanization: Watashi wa sakkā ga tokui desu. English Translation: I am good at soccer.

You can also introduce what is you’re good at. Insert a suitable vocabulary word in the underlined part of the example sentence.

• tokui is a noun that means “being good at.”
• Vocabulary related to things you’re good at: – スポーツ ( Supōtsu ) — Sports – プログラミング ( Puroguramingu ) — Programming – デザイン ( Dezain ) — Designing – 歌うこと ( Utau koto ) — Singing – 料理 ( Ryōri ) — Cooking – 楽器の演奏 ( Gakki no ensō ) — Playing instruments – ゲーム ( Gēmu ) — Game

3- Describing Your Favorite Foods

1. 私はラーメンが好きです。.

Romanization: Watashi wa rāmen ga suki desu. English Translation: I like ramen.

Food is always an easy topic to talk about and can expand any conversation. Insert a suitable vocabulary word in the underlined part of the example sentence.

• suki means “like.”
• ga indicates an object.
• Vocabulary related to food: – 日本食 ( Nihonshoku ) — Japanese cuisine – 中華料理 ( Chūka ryōri ) — Chinese cuisine – 韓国料理 ( Kankoku ryōri ) — Korean cuisine – イタリア料理 ( Itaria ryōri ) — Italian cuisine – フランス料理 ( Furansu ryōri ) — French cuisine – メキシコ料理 ( Mekishiko ryōri ) — Mexican cuisine – 焼肉 ( Yakiniku ) — Japanese BBQ – カツ丼 ( Katsudon ) — Pork cutlet bowl – お好み焼き ( Okonomiyaki ) — Japanese pancake – 果物 ( Kudamono ) — Fruits – 甘いもの ( Amai mono ) — Sweets

4- Describing Your SNS (Social Network Service)

1. 私はインスタグラムを使っています。.

Romanization: Watashi wa Insutaguramu o tsukatte imasu. English Translation: I use Instagram.

When introducing yourself during a casual occasion, such as when you’re trying to make new friends, you can make mention of your SNS to connect with them.

• tsukatte imasu is a conjugated form of tsukau (使う) which means “(I am) using.”
• Insert the name of an SNS, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, etc., in the underlined part of the example sentence.

This is a great way of introducing yourself to a Japanese friend!

2. 私のユーザー名はsakura123です。

Romanization: Watashi no yūzāmei wa sakura123 desu. English Translation: My username is sakura123.

If you’re introducing yourself to a friend in Japanese and want them to search for your SNS account and add you as a friend, this phrase is useful.

• yūzā is a Japanese version of how to say “user.”
• mei is “name.”
• Insert the name of your account in the underlined part of the example sentence.

3. 私はブログを書いています

Romanization: Watashi wa burogu o kaite imasu. English Translation: I write a blog.

• kaite imasu is a conjugated form of 書く ( kaku ) which means “(I am) writing.”

7. Conclusion: How JapanesePod101 Can Help You Learn More Japanese

I hope this article on introducing yourself in Japanese is helpful and that it makes your communication with Japanese people more enjoyable! Hopefully you can now see that knowing how to introduce yourself in Japanese language learning is essential.

Which of these Japanese greetings did you find most useful? Why not practice introducing yourself in Japanese by writing out a self-introductory paragraph in Japanese in the comments? We’d love to hear from you!

If you’d like to learn more Japanese, you’ll find more useful content on JapanesePod101.com . We provide a variety of free lessons for you to improve your Japanese language skills. For example, 10 Lines You Need for Introducing Yourself is useful for practicing your Japanese introduction with audio.

We also have a YouTube channel: JapanesePod101 . It’s always fun to learn Japanese language by watching videos and listening to actual Japanese pronunciation. And don’t forget to check out our free vocabulary lists and more blog posts like this one to help you gain insight into Japanese culture and the language!

Know that your determination will pay off, and we’ll be here for each step of your language-learning journey with support and useful tools !

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A Basic Guide to Introducing Yourself in Japanese (w/ Audio)

Like any language, learning Japanese takes time and dedication. So, here’s a cheapo’s guide to introducing yourself in Japanese. It does not, however, need to cost the earth. One of the best ways to improve your Japanese skills is to practice speaking the language as much as possible, and fortunately, this can be done totally for free.

Of course, in order for that to happen, you need people to speak to. In this post, we’ll go over some basic Japanese phrases that you can use when meeting new people so you can get to know a little bit about them, and turn them into friends with whom you can practice your Japanese speaking skills.

Introducing yourself

When meeting new people, the first things people will likely want to know about you are who you are, where you are from, and what you do. Below are the key phrases needed to talk and ask about these things:

English (E): Nice to meet you Japanese (J): hajimemashite

Your browser does not support the audio element.

E: My name is [John] J: watashi no namae wa [John] desu

E: What is your name? J: onamae wa nan desu ka?

Depending on the age and character of the person you are asking, they may respond with either their given name or their surname.  In either case, unless told otherwise, it is best to show respect by adding “san” at the end of their name whenever you refer to them.  Remember, however, that this only applies to other people’s names, and never your own.

E: I come from [Singapore] J: [shingapooru] kara kimashita

E: Where (in Japan) are you from? J: (nihon no) doko kara kimashita ka?

E: I am a [studemt]. J: watashi wa [gakusei] desu.

E: What do you do? (Literally: What is your job?) J: oshigoto wa nan desu ka?

Talking about your interests

While any Japanese-speaking person will allow you to practice your language skills, it will be a lot more fun, and therefore a lot more effective, if the people you speak to like the same things you do. The following phrases should help you decide whether or not you’ll enjoy spending time with new people that you meet.

E: What are your hobbies? J: shumi wa nan desu ka?

E: My hobbies are [basketball] and [piano]. J: watashi no shumi wa [basuke] to [piano] desu

The Japanese word “to” is a particle used to join nouns together in a similar way to the word “and”.  If you want to list more than two hobbies, you can do so by simply placing “to” in between each one.

One point to note with the above expression is that the hobbies being described should be expressed as nouns.  In both Japanese and English, some hobbies are easily described with just a noun, such as “basketball”, but for some other activities, we need to include a verb that has been turned into a noun, like “reading” or “watching”.

Just as we can convert verbs like “read” and “watch” into the nouns “reading” and “watching” by adding “ing” in English, it is easy to convert verbs to nouns for this purpose in Japanese too. All we need to do is take the verb in its dictionary form and add “koto”, like so:

E: I read books -> Reading books J: (watashi wa) hon wo yomu -> hon wo yomu koto

E: I watch movies -> Watching movies J: (watashi wa) eiga wo miru -> eiga wo miru koto

These can then be used in sentences like other nouns, such as the above sentence used to describe our hobbies:

E: My hobby is reading books J: watashi no shumi wa hon wo yomu koto desu

E: My hobby is watching movies J: watashi no shumi wa eiga wo miru koto desu

Like other nouns, these can also be combined using the particle “to”, as shown below:

E: My hobbies are listening to music and watching soccer. J: watashi no shumi wa ongaku wo kiku koto to sakkā wo miru koto desu

The advantage of expressions like these is that you can use verbs exactly as they appear in the dictionary.

There is no limit to the number of things you can talk about when meeting someone for the first time, but hopefully these phrases will be enough to help you start a new friendship or two, giving you a fun and effective way to improve your Japanese skills. By combining regular, natural speaking practice with some time spent studying the fundamentals of the Japanese language using a resource like my book  80/20 Japanese , you can quickly improve your Japanese without breaking the bank.

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Describe Yourself in Japanese

Can you describe yourself in Japanese ? It’s useful to be able to talk about yourself when you’re getting to know new people, speaking to an official person, or filling out a form. Whatever the situation, the Rocket Japanese team have created this free audio lesson to make it easier for you.

Resources for further reading: -  Top Tips for Learning Japanese Online -  Learn Japanese Online the Simple Way

How to Describe Yourself in Japanese

If you're booking into a hotel or going for a job interview, you’ll probably be asked some basic personal questions like “What is your name?” “Where are you from?” or “What is your date of birth?"

Let's go through some of the most common questions you might be asked, whether you're filling out a registration form in a hotel or at the consulate getting a new passport. Note that in these situations, you will be addressed politely using formal Japanese.

Practice Your Pronunciation With Rocket Record

Rocket Record lets you perfect your Japanese pronunciation. Just listen to the native speaker audio and then use the microphone icon to record yourself. Once you’re done, you’ll get a score out of 100 on your pronunciation and can listen to your own audio playback. (Use a headset mic for best results.) Problems? Click here!

あなたのお名前は何ですか？

あなた　の　おなまえ　は　なん　です　か？

Anata no onamae wa nan desu ka?

What is your name?

あなたはどこの出身ですか？

あなた　は　どこ　の　しゅっしん　です　か？

Anata wa doko no shusshin desu ka?

Where are you from?

あなたの国籍はどこですか？

あなた　の　こくせき　は　どこ　です　か？

Anata no kokuseki wa doko desu ka?

What is your nationality?

あなたの年齢はおいくつですか？

あなた　の　ねんれい　は　おいくつ　です　か？

Anata no nenrei wa oikutsu desu ka?

How old are you?

あなたの誕生日はいつですか？

あなた　の　たんじょうび　は　いつ　です　か？

Anata no tanjōbi wa itsu desu ka?

When is your birthday?

あなたに兄弟はいますか？

あなた　に　きょうだい　は　います　か？

Anata ni kyōdai wa imasu ka?

Do you have siblings?

あなたは何人兄弟ですか？

あなた　は　なん　にん　きょうだい　です　か？

Anata wa nan-nin kyōdai desu ka?

How many siblings do you have?

あなたにはお子さんがいらっしゃいますか？

あなた　に　は　おこさん　が　いらっしゃいます　か？

Anata ni wa okosan ga irasshaimasu ka?

Do you have children?

あなたにはお子さんが何人いらっしゃいますか？

あなた　に　は　おこさん　が　なん　にん　いらっしゃいます　か？

Anata ni wa okosan ga nan-nin irasshaimasu ka?

How many children do you have?

あなたは結婚していますか？

あなた　は　けっこん　して　います　か？

Anata wa kekkon shite imasu ka?

Are you married?

あなたの住所はどこですか？

あなた　の　じゅうしょ　は　どこ　です　か？

Anata no jūsho wa doko desu ka?

What is your address?

あなたの電話番号は何番ですか？

あなた　の　でんわ　ばんごう　は　なん　ばん　です　か？

Anata no denwa bangō wa nan-ban desu ka?

What is your telephone number?

あなたの携帯電話番号は何番ですか？

あなた　の　けいたい　でんわ　ばんごう　は　なん　ばん　です　か？

Anatano keitai denwa bangō wa nan-ban desu ka?

What is your cell phone number?

あなたのパスポート番号は何ですか？

あなた　の　パスポート　ばんごう　は　なん　です　か？

Anata no pasupōto bangō wa nan desu ka?

What is your passport number?

あなたのEメールアドレスは何ですか？

あなた　の　イー　メール　アドレス　は　なん　です　か？

Anata no ī-mēru adoresu wa nan desu ka?

What is your email address?

How to Answer Questions About Yourself

When you're responding, you can follow one of the simple formats below. Just insert the appropriate information in the blank.

私の名前は。。。です。

わたし　の　なまえ　は 　。。。　です。

Watashi no namae wa ... desu.

My name is...

わたし　は　。。。　しゅっしん　です。

Watashi wa .... shusshin desu.

I am from...

わたし　は　。。。じん　です。

Watashi wa ...jin desu.

I am .... nationality.

わたし　は　。。。　さい　です。

Watashi wa ... sai desu.

I am ... years old.

はい、私には兄弟がいます。

はい、　わたし　に　は　きょうだい　が　います。

Hai, watashi ni wa kyōdai ga imasu.

Yes, I have siblings.

いいえ、私には兄弟がいません。

いいえ、　わたし　に　は　きょうだい　が　いません。

Īe, watashi ni wa kyōdai ga imasen.

No, I have no siblings.

私は 。。。人兄弟です

わたし　は　 。。。にん　きょうだい　です

Watashi wa ....nin kyōdai desu.

I have ... siblings.

はい、私には。。。人の子供がいます。

はい、　わたし　に　は　 。。。にん　の　こども　が　います。

Hai, watashi ni wa ....nin no kodomo ga imasu.

Yes, I have .... children.

はい、私は結婚しています。

はい、　わたし　は　けっこん　して　います。

Hai, watashi wa kekkon shite imasu.

Yes, I (am) married.

いいえ、私は結婚していません。

いいえ、　わたし　は　けっこん　して　いません。

Īe, watashi wa kekkon shite imasen.

No, I (am) not married.

私の住所は。。。です。

わたし　の　じゅうしょ　は 　。。。　 です。

Watashi no jūsho wa .... desu.

My address is ...

私の電話番号は。。。です。

わたし　の　でんわ　ばんごう　は　。。。　です。

Watashi no denwa bangō wa .... desu.

My telephone number is ...

私の携帯電話番号は。。。です。

わたし　の　けいたい　でんわ　ばんごう　は　。。。　です。

Watashi no keitai denwa bangō wa .... desu.

My cell phone number is ...

私のパスポート番号は。。。です。

わたし　の　パスポート　ばんごう　は　。。。　です。

Watashi no pasupōto bangō wa .... desu.

My passport number is ...

How to Fill Out Forms in Japanese

If you find yourself in a situtation where you need to fill out a form with your personal details, you won't get the complete questions that you've studied above. Instead, you'll get short words or phrases like the following:

nationality

denwa bangō

telephone number

けいたい　でんわ　ばんごう

keitai denwa bangō

cell phone number

pasupōto bangō

passport number

Numbers in Japanese

For some of these questions, you'll need to know some Japanese numbers. Here are some basics:

For more numbers, check out this lesson on Japanese numbers .

Phew - that was a lot to take in at once! But these words and phrases will definitely come in handy, so make sure you practice them as much as possible. Happy learning!

Here are a few recommended Japanese lessons to try next:

• Want to learn about describing other people in Japanese ? Check this Japanese lesson out.
• Imagine you’re traveling in Tokyo and you need to ask for directions in Japanese . Learn how in this lesson.
• Talking about your emotions in Japanese is a great way to connect with your Japanese friends. Learn how to talk about your feelings in this lesson.

さようなら！ (Sayōnara!) "Good bye!"

Sayaka Matsuura: Rocket Japanese

Make It Stick With Rocket Reinforcement

Reinforce your learning from this lesson with the Rocket Reinforcement activities!

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How to Introduce Yourself in Japanese

Last Updated: May 4, 2023 Fact Checked

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 17 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 492,434 times. Learn more...

So you've just met someone who speaks Japanese, and you want to show respect to Ye Olde Nippon by making formalities in their mother tongue. It doesn't matter if it's a co-worker, exchange student, neighbor, or mutual friend – and it also doesn't matter whether or not they speak any English. Here are some quick rules of thumb that should help you make a good first impression.

Initial Greetings

• "Ohayou" (pronounced just like "Ohio") means "good morning" and is used pretty much anytime before noon. To make it more polite, say "ohayou gozaimasu" (go-zah-ee-MAHS).
• "Konnichiwa" (KO-nee-chee-wah) means "good afternoon" and is also a standard hello. It can be used between noon and about 5 PM. [3] X Research source
• "Konbanwa" (kon-BAHN-wah) means "good evening," and is used between 5 PM and midnight. If you want to mix things up, you can say the Japanese equivalent of "Greetings," which is aisatsu (AH-ee-saht-soo).

• For example: "Watashi no namae wa Miyazaki Hayao desu," means "My name is Hayao Miyazaki."
• Bear in mind that Japanese people rarely use "watashi" in conversation. When introducing yourself, you can omit the "watashi wa" if you're comfortable trying to sound like a local. "Anata," which means "you," is similarly avoided. Thus, you can simply say "Joe desu," to tell someone that your name is Joe.

• For a more casual form, you can just say "Yoroshiku." In almost all cases, however, you should err on the side of the more formal, more polite form.
• If you're introducing yourself casually to a young person of similar social standing, you can omit almost all of the extra words. Simply say, "Joe desu. Yoroshiku," to mean "I'm Joe. Nice to meet you." [6] X Research source

Beginning a Conversation

• You could also replace " arigatou " with "okagesama de" (oh-KAH-geh-sah-mah deh) which means basically the same thing.

Community Q&A

• Don't worry if you flub up on pronunciation. Japanese people usually find it cute when foreigners mess up at their language. Plus, they think of English in the same way that many English-speakers think of Japanese—cool, intriguing, and even mystic—so don't be embarrassed! Thanks Helpful 73 Not Helpful 6

Tips from our Readers

• As they say, practice makes perfect, so make sure you're constantly practicing these phrases until you're absolutely positive you have them in your head. Practice, practice, practice!

• If you ever have a choice between polite and casual, go with polite – even in what seem like casual situations. Thanks Helpful 60 Not Helpful 9
• Never put an honorific title (-san, -chan, -kun, etc.) after your own name. This is viewed as egotistical and rude. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/jikoshoukai/
• ↑ https://www.coscom.co.jp/learnjapanese101/wordcategory/basicwords_greeting.html
• ↑ http://www.linguajunkie.com/japanese/japanese-introduce-yourself
• ↑ https://www.kanpai-japan.com/learn-japanese/introduction-hajimemashite
• ↑ https://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/survival_02.html
• ↑ http://learnjapanesepod.com/how-to-introduce-yourself-in-japanese/
• ↑ https://www.coscom.co.jp/ebksample/smp_ejp123/index_mokuji.html
• ↑ https://tokyocheapo.com/living/how-to-start-a-conversation-in-japanese/
• ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33901966

About This Article

To introduce yourself in Japanese, say "Watashi no namae wa Sarah desu," which translates to "My name is Sarah." For a shortened, less formal introduction, you can just say "Sarah desu." You can also say "Hajimemashite," which means "Nice to meet you." Whenever you introduce yourself to someone in Japanese, always end with "Yoroshiku onegaishimasu," which means "Please be nice to me." To learn how to start a conversation with someone new in Japanese, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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