self introduction essay in japanese

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.

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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 (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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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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Jikoshoukai : self introductions in japanese.

Jikoshoukai : Self Introductions in Japanese : Hello everyone, today we are going to be learning how to Introduce yourself in Japanese. This is the perfect lesson for those of you just starting out and looking for a place to start with your Japanese learning or also a great opportunity for you guys who want to review your introductions.

• 1 Jikoshoukai : Self Introductions in Japanese
• 2.1 Jikoshoukai(自己紹介) – Starting Out
• 2.2.2 nationality
• 2.2.3 occupation
• 3.1 It’s Nice to meet you – Jikoshoukai(自己紹介) – Introductions in Japanese
• 3.2 Example Introduction Conversation
• 4 Side notes – Self Introductions in Japanese
• 5.1 So, how old are you? in Japanese
• 5.2 I am …… years old. in Japanese
• 5.3 Where are you from? in Japanese
• 5.4 Tell me about your occupation? in Japanese
• 5.5 What about your hobbies? in Japanese
• 6 Jikoshoukai(自己紹介) – Summary
• 7.1 Recommend
• 7.2 Related

In any case this is really important when it comes to meeting new people, interviews etc. Let’s dive right in and get started with the basics.

Simple Self Introductions in Japanese

Japan’s introductions are much more formal than the standard “hey, how you doing” of the western world. They follow certain patterns and are really a big deal when it comes to first impressions.

Jikoshoukai(自己紹介) – Starting Out

The best way to start is with a simple greeting. This can vary depending on the time of day, so let’s take a look at that. If you are greeting someone in the morning you can say おはようございます Ohayou Gozaimasu which means, “good morning”. If it is in the day time you can use こんにちは　 Konnichiwa which means, “good day”. Finally, if you are in the evening you can use こんばんは　Konbanwa, which means, “good evening”. So as you can see, depending on the time of day these initial greetings can change so make sure to take note of that before starting your greeting.

Talking about you in Japanese

• (私は) ◯◯ です。(My name is ◯◯)
• 私の 名前は ◯◯ です。

nationality

• (私は) ◯◯人 です。(I’m from ◯◯)
• ◯◯で 働いています。(I’m working for ◯◯)
• ◯◯で 勉強しています。

Self-introduction Japanese Phrases

Another thing to note when it comes to introducing yourself in Japanese are the different levels of formality that can be expressed. If it’s more of an informal, less casual situation you can say:

If it’s a more formal meeting such as with an interview or addressing a superior you can use:

Depending on the formality of the situation you can use either one to introduce yourself in Japanese.

A side note, if you want to introduce yourself with your full name, remember to use your family name first followed by your first name. This is of course opposite the customs of the western world.

It’s Nice to meet you – Jikoshoukai(自己紹介) – Introductions in Japanese

It’s nice to meet you is really something nice to say to make the other party feel welcome. That you want to talk to them and you are happy that they have just entered into your life. In Japanese you can say:

Or more politely

You can remember this as “nice to meet you” but it more directly translates into “Please be kind to me” or “Remember me favorably.” These are phrases that you can use after you have introduced yourself or heard the introduction of the other party.

Now lets put all of this together and look at an example conversation to help you remember and practice this simple Japanese introduction.

Example Introduction Conversation

So as you can see here this is how a nice casual introduction would play out. Not let’s take a look at something a little more formal.

Side notes – Self Introductions in Japanese

When it comes to hand shakes in Japanese introductions you should never just jump in for one like in the west. This is considered very rude and is usually used between people of equal status. When in Japan I would suggest that you stay away from hand shakes as much as possible. Maybe keep it handy for drunk salarymen but that’s about it.

Now Japan is very famous for the bow. You can use this in your introduction but only after you have finished speaking. Don’t use this mid-sentence as this will also come off rather rude .

Remember also not to talk about yourself too much either as this will really not give a good impression of you. Have respect for the other person’s time and be sure to look interested in what they have to say. Unless the person you are talking to has a lot of interest in your back story I would suggest to try and keep introductions as brief as possible.

So there we are, we’ve now covered the basics of introducing yourself in Japanese. In the next post we are going to be looking at taking this to the next level by adding in more complex introductory sentences such as expressing where you come from, age and occupation.

Complex Introductions in Japanese

We are going to be learning how to introduce yourself in Japanese with some more complex sentences and phrases. Not only are we going to be introducing where you come from and how old you are, we are also going to be looking at introducing hobbies and occupations in Japanese too.

This online Japanese lesson on complex introductions in Japanese is a continuation from the previous lesson “ Simple Introductions in Japanese ” so if you haven’t checked that out be sure to take a look before looking at this.

So guys strap yourself in and lets first take a look at introducing how old you are in Japanese.

So, how old are you? in Japanese

With every introduction, being able to tell someone how old you are is a vital aspect. No we are going to learn how to do this in Japanese so you can learn how to expand your Japanese introduction ability.

To do this you simply use the following phrase:

I am …… years old. in Japanese

In putting your age before “sai desu” will let the other person know how old you are and develop your introduction.

However just like in the western world it’s definitely considered rude to ask a lady her age. So fella’s remember your manners and be courteous.

Where are you from? in Japanese

So now it’s time to introduce where you are from in Japanese. Let’s first look at some countries to ensure you know how to say the name of your country in Japanese.

So now that you know have had a look on the country names you may now be able to know how to say your country in Japanese, if you didn’t already before.

To introduce where you are from in Japanese in a Japanese introduction you would say:

So all you would have to do is input your country before Kara kimashita .

Next, let’s take a look at how to introduce your occupation in Japanese.

Tell me about your occupation? in Japanese

Well when it comes to introducing your occupation in Japanese you can say it in a few ways. Let’s have a look at 2 examples.

Now you can choose between your preference here just add your job title after “Wa”

What about your hobbies? in Japanese

Hobbies are wonderful things, they are what make up your character and also say a lot about you as a person. It is very common to introduce your hobby during self introductions in Japanese so lets have a look at how to this now.

To introduce your hobby in Japanese simply add your hobby of choice after “Watashi no shumi wa”

An example of this would be, “ わたしのしゅみはにほんごをべんきょうすることです”. My hobby is studying Japanese.

Jikoshoukai(自己紹介) – Summary

So now you know how to introduce your age, country, occupation and hobbies, you are all set to go off and impress the world with your Japanese introduction ability. The Japanese introduction is in most cases the conversation starter for any new people that you meet so ensure that you practice it a lot.

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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. 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 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.

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Podcast 02: How to do a self introduction in Japanese

• Post author By admin
• Post date September 2, 2015
• 4 Comments on Podcast 02: How to do a self introduction in Japanese

In this podcast, Asuka and Alex are back to teach you how to do a self introduction in Japanese to a group of people. For example, this might be useful for you on your first day of Japanese class at university, college or school.

We cover how to say your name, where you are from and what your hobbies and interests are. If you learn the set phrases in this podcast you should be able to do your own self introduction easily.

Main Podcast

Japanese dialogues.

How to do a basic self introduction in Japanese

Today’s podcast will teach you how to do a self introduction in Japanese. This is extremely useful for students who are about to start a new Japanese course at university, college or even high school. Don’t worry, although there are many ways you could do this, we’ve made you an easy template with 5 simple steps for you to use to make your own. Just change the words in blue to fit your own information.

Step 1: Say your name

はじめまして、 ジェニファー と申します。

hajimemashite, Jennifer to moushimasu

Nice to meet you. I’m Jennifer .

Step 2: Say where you’re from

アメリカ の カリフォルニア州 から来ました。

amerika no kariforunia shuu kara kimashita

I come from California in the US

Step 3: Say what your hobbies and interests are

趣味は タンゴダンス です。そして、 食いしん坊 です。

shumi wa tangodansu desu. soshite kuishinbou desu

My hobby is dancing tango . Also I love food .

Step 4: Say you’ll do your best to study Japanese

これから日本語を一所懸命勉強したいと思います。

korekara nihongo wo isshokenmei benkyou shitai to omoimasu

I want to do my best to study Japanese.

Step 5: Use a natural Japanese phrase express good will and end the introduction

宜しくお願い致します。*

yoroshiku onegai itashimasu

I look forward to (studying) with you

*This literally means “I count on your good favour in the future” but it can mean anything from “nice to meet you” to “I look forward to working/studying with you”

If you listen to the podcast you can here more examples of self introductions.

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4 replies on “Podcast 02: How to do a self introduction in Japanese”

Is it possible, that theres the べんきょう missing in the romaji of “Let’s study together”? :)

YES! Thank you very much for spotting that. I have corrected that now. Minus 1 point to me. Plus 1 point to you. Thanks again!

Great show! I learn a lot listening to you two.

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• How to Speak Japanese /

How to introduce yourself in Japanese

How to introduce yourself in Japanese (Easy to detailed self introduction)

Whatever your reason for learning Japanese, you will probably end up in a lot of situations where you need to introduce yourself. Therefore, we have compiled a few sentence structures, some vocabulary and other important points you can use for your own self-introduction.

[How to start your self-introduction]

The very first word you will need to start your self-introduction with is “初めまして (Nice to meet you)”. Saying “初めまして” is considered polite upon meeting someone for the first time and will help you leave a good impression. 初 はじ めまして。 Nice to meet you, something you say upon meeting someone for the first time

[Stating your name]

After beginning with “初めまして”, the natural thing to do next is telling the other person your name. There are several ways to say your name:

So, for example, you can say: “ 私 わたし はしほです。 (My name is Shiho)”. If you have a name other than your real name that you would like to be called, e.g. a nickname, you can follow up by saying the following:

So, for example you could say:

[Stating where you are from]

The next thing to do is let everyone know where you are from. For the place, you can use your country or hometown, depending on the situation you are introducing yourself in. Usually, as a foreigner in Japan, it is most common to state your country.

If where you were born/are from originally and where you currently live are two different places, you can follow up by specifically stating where you are residing at the moment:

So to give you an example, you could say:

[Stating your occupation]

Next up, you can let everyone know what your current occupation is. The hard thing about this might actually be knowing what your own occupation means in Japanese, so don’t forget to look it up beforehand! Also, see the different version for stating when you are a student and what you are studying:

You can follow up on this and give more specifics by mentioning where exactly you work.

So for example, you could say:

You can also combine stating your work and workplace in one sentence. In that case, please try using the following sentence.

[Stating your hobbies]

The next part is really important. To have everyone know what kind of person you are, you can talk about your hobbies or other important things in your life. You can also line up several hobbies by using the particles “と” or “や”.

If you have a lot of hobbies, it’s best not to say them all in one sentence. If you have a wide variety of interests and would like to introduce them all, say your most favorite ones first. Then you continue the sentence with “あとは (Furthermore)”. See the example below:

If you would like to elaborate even further, you can explain why exactly you like these things. Since Japan values food very highly, something that can also be mentioned when introducing yourself is what kind of food you like or dislike.

Furthermore, you could talk about what you like to do on your day off. That way, you can give people an idea as to what you are up to on weekends and try to let them know what kind of person you are.

[Wrapping up]

Since most of you reading this article are probably Japanese learners, one final thing you can let everyone know is why you started learning Japanese. Mostly every Japanese person will be curious about this, so here is how it goes:

Now, the final step of your self-introduction is wrapping everything up and giving it a natural sounding ending. There are several ways you can end your self-introduction naturally. Pick one of the following:

“ 以上 いじょう です” is a somewhat stiff, formal way of ending your self-introduction. It’s best used in very formal settings, e.g. at your workplace if it has a rather formal environment.

Lastly, why don’t you revise Shiho’s own self-introduction and see if you can come up with something similar?

皆さん、初めまして。私はしほと言います。私は東京出身で、今も東京に住んでいます。私の趣味は外国の映画やテレビドラマを観ること。それから、美味しいものを探したり、食べたりすることです。好きな映画はほんっとにたくさんあるんですけど、特に好きなのは「キューティ・ブロンド」という映画です。この映画はもう何十回も観たことのある、私にとって特別な映画です。 好きな食べ物もすごくたくさんあります。特に好きなのはスイーツとか、和食、イタリア、それからタイ料理等の、エスニックですね。そういったものをよく食べています。 もっと色んな国の、色んな料理を食べてみたいなーといつも思っています。 あとは、運動したりとか、ショッピングをすること。それから、旅行に行ったり、カフェでのんびり本を読んだりするのもすごく好きです。 では、私の自己紹介はこれで終わりにしたいと思います。皆さん、よろしくお願いします。

If any of the grammar used in this article is unclear, head over to our full list of Japanese grammar reference.

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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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A Guide to Self-Introductions in Japanese Job Interviews

A Quick Jump To…

Structure and delivery of your self-introduction, common job interview questions and sample answers, additional tips.

In the competitive world of Japanese job interviews, making a strong first impression is crucial. Your self-introduction, or 自己紹介 (Jiko shōkai), sets the tone for the entire interview and gives the interviewer a glimpse into your personality, skills, and motivations. Understanding the nuances of Japanese etiquette and tailoring your introduction accordingly can significantly enhance your chances of success.

A well-structured self-introduction typically follows a three-part format:

Greeting and Name: Begin with a polite greeting, such as Good Morning – おはようございます ( Ohayō gozaimasu ) or Good morning or Hello – こんにちは ( Kon’nichiwa ). Clearly state your name and surname.

Background and Educational Qualifications: Briefly introduce your educational background, including the universities or institutes you attended and your degrees or qualifications.

Work Experience and Skills: Highlight your relevant work experience, emphasizing accomplishments and skills that align with the job requirements. Use specific examples to demonstrate your capabilities.

* Everything in red is changeable based on your experience and background. *

Q. 自己紹介をお願いします。 (Jiko shōkai o onegaishimasu) – Tell me about yourself.

This broad question assesses your overall background, personality, and motivations. Be concise and focus on aspects relevant to the job.

Sample Answer

John と申します。現在 25 歳、 アメリカ 出身で、 ニューヨーク 大学を卒業しました。 アメリカ では 2 年間、日本では 3 年間、 ウェブサイト制作 を行う会社で エンジニア として働いてまいりました。よろしくお願いいたします。

John to mōshimasu. Genzai 25 -sai, Amerika shusshin de, nyūyōku daigaku o sotsugyō shimashita. Amerikade wa 2 -nenkan, Nihonde wa 3 -nenkan, u~ebusaito seisaku o okonau kaisha de enjinia to shite hataraite mairimashita. Yoroshikuonegaītashimasu.

My name is John . I’m currently 25 years old, from the United States , and graduated from New York University. I worked as an engineer at a company that creates websites for two years in the United States and three years in Japan . Thank you very much.

Q. なぜ日本に来たのか聞いてもいいですか？ (Naze Nihon ni kita no ka kiite mo īdesu ka?) – May I ask why you came to Japan?

This question asks about your interest in the country and could be used to evaluate your understanding of the Japanese market.

小さいころから 日本のゲームソフトやテレビドラマ が身近にあり、いつかは日本に行ってみたいという気持ちがあったので、大学では日本語も学びました。 エンジニア という職種なら日本で就職しやすいと考え来日を決めました。

Chīsai koro kara Nihon no gēmusofuto ya terebi dorama ga midjika ni ari, itsuka wa Nihon ni itte mitai to iu kimochi ga attanode, daigakude wa nihongo mo manabimashita. Enjinia to iu shokushunara Nihon de shūshoku shi yasui to kangae rainichi o kimemashita.

Ever since I was little, I have been familiar with Japanese game software and TV dramas , and I wanted to go to Japan someday, so I also studied Japanese at university. I decided to come to Japan because I thought it would be easy to get a job in Japan as an engineer .

Q. このポジションに興味を持った理由 (Kono pojishon ni kyōmi o motta riyū) – Why are you interested in this position?

This question evaluates your understanding of the role and your genuine interest in the company. Demonstrate your knowledge of the company’s values and how your skills align with their needs.

志望動機は、自分のスキルを発揮できる場所がほしいと思ったからです。私の 対人関係スキルが、ベンダーとの有意義な関係を築く のに役に立つのではないかと感じています。また、 デザインソフト を使った経験から、 データベースの管理 にも自信があります。

Shibou douki  wa, jibun no sukiru o hakki dekiru basho ga hoshii to omotta karadesu. Watashi no taijin kankei sukiru ga bendā to no yūigina kankei o kizuku no ni yaku ni tatsu node wanai ka to kanjite imasu. Mata, dezain sofuto o tsukatta keiken kara, dētabēsu no kanri nimo jishin ga arimasu.

I am looking for this job because I am looking for an opportunity to use my skills. I feel that I could be successful in this position because my interpersonal skills will help me develop meaningful relationships with vendors . Additionally, my experience using design software has given me the confidence to manage databases .

Q. あなたの個人的な長所と短所について話してください (Anata no kojin-tekina chōsho to tansho ni tsuite hanashite kudasai) – Please talk about your personal strengths and weaknesses.

This question assesses your self-awareness and ability to identify areas for improvement. Be honest and highlight complementary strengths and weaknesses.

長所は 真面目なところ 、 短所は考えすぎて しまうところです。前職でも 納期を必ず守り、ミスが無いよう何重にもチェックをしていました。考えすぎてしまうところは短所ですが、行動に移るのが遅くならないよう、常に前倒しで仕事の段取りを組むようにしています 。

Chōsho wa majimena tokoro , tansho wa kangae sugite shimau tokoro desu. Zenshoku demo n ōki o kanarazu mamori, misu ga nai yō nan-jū ni mo chekku o shite imashita. Kangae sugite shimau tokoro wa tanshodesuga, kōdō ni utsuru no ga osoku naranai yō, tsuneni maedaoshi de shigoto no dandori o kumu yō ni shite imasu .

My strength is that I am serious , and my weakness is that I think too much . Even at my previous job, I always met deadlines and checked multiple times to make sure there were no mistakes. My weakness is that I tend to overthink things, but I always try to plan my work ahead of time so that I don’t delay taking action .

Here is another blog on Top 10 Useful Phrases for Japanese Job Interviews to help you sound more Natural ; check it out to ace your interview!

• Practice and Rehearse: Rehearse your self-introduction beforehand to ensure a smooth and confident delivery.
• Maintain Eye Contact: Make eye contact with the interviewer to convey sincerity and engagement.
• Speak Clearly and Concisely: Speak clearly and concisely, using proper grammar and pronunciation.
• Show Enthusiasm and Passion: Convey your enthusiasm for the opportunity and your passion for the field.
• Express Gratitude: Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration. You can say お時間をいただき、ありがとうございました。よろしくお願いいたします。 ( Ojikan o itadaki arigatōgozaimashita.  Yoroshiku onegaiitashimasu. ) 。

You can also check out our blog , which includes different ways to express your gratitude!

Remember, your self-introduction is your chance to make a lasting impression and showcase your suitability for the role. By following these guidelines and tailoring your responses to the specific requirements of the interview, you can increase your chances of success and land your dream job in Japan.

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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.

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.
• You can use any Japanese number to say “XX years old,” except for twenty.
• “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.
• In order to express a year, unlike in English, the Japanese say the whole number.
• 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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Mastering the ALT Self-Intro Class Learn to introduce yourself to classrooms full of Japanese kids.

July 28, 2014 • words written by Verity Lane • Art by Aya Francisco and Verity Lane

Viewing under The Tofugu JET Program Guide

Hajimemashite! It's nice to meet you!

If you come to Japan you're going to find yourself saying this quite often. Introductions are very important in Japanese culture. It can be seen as an extension of the Japanese obsession with perfection . Things have to be perfect right from the start and that includes the start of every relationship, whether in business, school, or even casual meetings. It can sometimes seem like the introduction is the most important part of any endeavor. If you've got off on the right foot, all the subsequent steps aren't quite as important. But that introduction… gotta get that right! This is true in jikoshoukai and especially in the ALT self-intro class.

I once attended an English camp where I spotted a tiny error in the program notes for the introductory speech. I pointed it out to the organizers and thought that was the end of it. Problem solved! I was surprised to find the organizers flipping out for the next half hour, trying to work out if they could reprint all the programs before the opening ceremony. I was very confused so I asked a Japanese co-worker why they were so agitated. She explained, "It's because it affects the opening ceremony. We think that if the opening is good, then the whole thing will be good. If the opening is bad, then everything is ruined."

To me that seemed like a lot of pressure to put on the start of something (though actually that camp was a disaster, so maybe they had a point.) Still, it gave me some insight into the importance that Japanese culture places on introductions. The introduction sets the tone for the entire relationship. It's a formalized way of perfecting first impressions. In some ways this is stressful, if you don't know the rules. But luckily the rules are easy to grasp. Once you've got them you can relax.

How to Master the ALT Self-Intro Class

I recently wrote an article for new ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) , offering tips and tricks for success in the classroom. But before ALTs can start proper teaching, they are expected to teach a self-introduction class. While this may seem daunting at first, a little preparation and practice can make anyone a self-intro wizard!

First, don't worry if it goes a bit wrong. The first ones are always dodgy. Take it as a learning experience. My first self-introductions were appalling, mumbling, too long, too focused on me talking, and far too complicated. Now, over 100 self-intro classes later I can literally do one successfully almost on autopilot. The key is to refine it a little each time. Notice which bits got the laughs and which bits got dead silence. Adjust your self-introduction accordingly. Ask JTEs (Japanese Teacher of English) for feedback. They may not all be willing to give any, but a few might have some good advice for you.

Most of my schools didn't have access to any kind of presentation equipment, so I relied on printed pictures. The laminator will be your greatest friend. I put my self-introduction together three years ago and used it over 100 times. Thanks to being laminated it's still going strong. When it comes to pictures, think big – A4 size minimum. Passing pictures around takes time and splits a class' attention when you want to keep that attention on what you're saying. Flags are good, as are other props, especially for younger students. If you love rugby, take a rugby ball. If you have a national animal, take a stuffed toy. Pictures of your family, your pets, favourite foods and hobbies are good staples. Try to find a picture to illustrate each point you want to talk about. Back those pictures up with drawings on the blackboard, however terrible they may be. Fast is more important than beautiful. You can write keywords too, which really helps Japanese students who usually don't get much listening practice, but can read much better.

If you do have access to presentation equipment, go for it! I'd particularly recommend Prezzi , presentation software. It will blow your students' minds. Actually, even PowerPoint will probably blow their minds, especially if you include moving elements. In my experience of rural schools, most JTEs rarely use technology in the classrooms. (Some can't even use Microsoft Word – I wish I was joking.) Given how unusual presentation equipment is in Japanese schools, I'd suggest making a low-tech version as a backup. You never know when a projector won't work, or your power point will bizarrely show upside-down or a teacher will simply be so freaked out by the idea of a presentation that they say no.

So you've got your materials. But what do you say? Try to think back to language classes you took as a child. What topics did you cover? Family, animals, foods, and so on. Make it your own too. What is interesting about you? That can be hard to answer by yourself, so ask friends and family for their opinions.

Now, I'm not saying you should lie to children (fun as that is), but do simplify your life story. Personally, I say, "My family are sheep farmers. This is my favorite sheep, Kevin." I don't say, "My Aunt once rescued some sheep and has since created a paradise on earth for out of luck farm animals. Kevin is an ovine spiritual guru whose wooly coat holds the secret to cosmic happiness, which can be unlocked by petting him." It's simpler. The aim is not to have the kids understand every nuance of your life, but just to have them understand something. Also, this appeals to the kids in my area, many of whom come from farming families. Try to find parts of your life the kids can empathize with. This will take some time. Don't worry about being perfect on your first try.

Throw some questions in there too. When I show the picture of Kevin the Sheep I ask the students, "What animal is this?" Kevin is a very handsome brown sheep, but most sheep in Japan are white, so the answers usually go from dog to bear to cow before settling on sheep. That's more fun for the students than me simply saying, "This is a sheep."

Go to town with gestures too. Mime like your life depends on it. I do an imitation of Kevin the sheep running towards me in a field, which is 100% ridiculous. It always gets a laugh and the kids visibly relax. They aren't so shy about embarrassing themselves, because nothing they do will be as embarrassing as me running around the classroom going "Baaaaaaaa!"

I don't just talk about sheep, (though animals are a good topic for kids since they know a lot of the vocabulary.) I usually start with an explanation of the four countries of the UK. I make it more interesting by explaining that my Dad is from England and my Mum is from Wales (another simplification.) I do this using pictures of my Mum and Dad and making the kids guess who they are before saying "Yes. This is my Father. He has a crazy face." (In the picture I use, he is pulling a very strange expression! Thanks Dad!) Really simple humor using words they know (like crazy) is really important. Thus, without really realizing it, the students learn about the otherwise confusing and dull administrative districts of the UK. (Also, the Welsh flag is badass and gets a mime too – roar!)

I also run through, my favourite food (scones), famous UK food (fish and chips), and my hobby (knitting). Each subject has a picture. I don't work from a script, but instead put the pictures in order and let them remind me of the next topic. If I have a lot of time I throw in that I studied at Oxford University, but I brighten this up for students who have never heard of it by explaining Harry Potter was filmed there. Pop culture can be a useful tool to connect with students. Although this is a self -introduction, that doesn't mean you have to talk about only yourself. This is a great chance to talk about where you come from and your culture.

Self-Intro Class Quiz Finale!

Some teachers will ask you to introduce yourself in 5 minutes. I did a very quick highlights version (name, country, student questions). But sometimes you'll be asked to do your self-introduction for an entire class period. Talking about yourself for 50 minutes is tough on you and on the kids. That's why it's quiz time! There are loads of different ways to run this. I'm going to share what worked for me (at Senior High School level, though it could easily be adapted for Junior High Schools), but you'll be sure to find your own groove.

This entire process is done in English, for both you and the students (this depends on student level, but even at low level schools, it is possible to do it all in English since your pictures and props will help with understanding.) Sometimes it's appropriate for Japanese Teachers to add explanations in Japanese, but usually I found it's not, even at the lowest level schools. Try as hard as you can to stop JTEs from translating every word you say. It kills self-intro classes.

Prepare your quiz questions ahead of time. At first you'll probably need them written down, but your eventual aim should be to do this paperless. Don't be afraid of going off script. It's important to react to the tone of the class.

• At the start, divide the kids into teams of 5 or 6 and have them move their desks together.
• Give each group one big piece of paper.
• Explain that you are going do your self-introduction then there will be a quiz, so the students should write a memo. Memo is a word kids know from katakana (these sorts of words are your friends).
• Do your crazy-awesome self-introduction.
• Explain that the first round of the quiz is the students asking you questions.
• Give them two/three minutes to discuss their questions in a group.
• Use this time to draw the scoreboard, question categories, and points on the blackboard.
• If you have 4 categories then plan on between 3 and 5 questions per category to fill 30 to 50 minutes. As you get more familiar with your self-introduction you'll be able to gauge how many questions you'll need to fill the time.
• Ask the JTE to keep the scores.
• When the 2 minutes thinking time is up, regain the students' attention and tell them to raise their hand to ask a question.
• Answer the students' questions. Give lots of positive feedback ("Great question!" "Nice!")
• If they ask a slightly wonky question eg. "What do you like foods?" repeat the correct version back the them before answering, "What foods do I like? I like agidashi dofu!" (The weirder the Japanese food you say, the happier they'll be.)
• Be prepared for rude questions too and don't get too flustered.
• Give the students 10 points for each question they answer.
• After a few minutes, or when every group has asked a few questions, tell them it's time for you to ask them questions.
• Get ready to slip into a "Game Show Host" persona – think big gestures and big reactions.
• Explain the categories and the points (more points mean a more difficult question).
• Explain that if a team gets a question right they get to choose the next question (they can easily grasp this once they start playing).
• Run through all your questions. Erase the points as the students answer each question.
• Call out the points to the JTE who should be writing them down.
• If there is a very confident team, try to give other teams a chance to answer too by ignoring them for a round.
• At the end add up the scores and give the winners a round of applause.
• Boom! You just ran an awesome self-introduction. As ever, this advice is what has worked for me. Be sure to modify and change as you see fit. If you aren't sure where to start with self-introductions, then you can use this as a framework to build your own style on. There are lots of awesome ways to run a self-introduction. If you have access to IT equipment at school you could do this as a Jeopardy style quiz on a screen. Or you could do it another way entirely. For very young kids, you could consider making answer cards with words or pictures for them to collect when you ask questions about yourself. You could make a comprehension worksheet with questions or in a bingo style for students to fill out as they listen to you. You could get the kids to guess everything about you. I tried several styles before settling on the one I described above.

But beyond all these tips, perhaps the most important thing is the attitude of the JTE towards you. I once had two classes, the same level, same material, same school, same day. The first class went fantastically; kids asked great questions and got really excited. The second class went terribly; the kids stared silently and getting them to ask questions was excruciating. The only difference was the teachers. In the first class the teacher walked in with me and said, "Today we have an ALT with us! She's going to give you her self-introduction!" with a big smile on his face. The second teacher walked into the classroom without saying a word and stood at the back silently. In both cases, the teachers set the tone of the students' reaction. If you can, talk to your JTEs before class to ask them to introduce you. As I said right at the start, introduction is an important part of Japanese culture. The students' crucial first impression of you is formed in part by how the JTE introduces you.

Concluding the Introduction to Introductions

All that said, don't let all this perceived pressure on self-introduction freak you out. When you first arrive in Japan things can be a little overwhelming. If you can get your Japanese self-introduction mostly memorized you'll be fine. People will be forgiving, even if you flub it. Prepare your English self-intro class, but also be prepared to change it as you find your ALT feet. Don't worry; you'll have lots and lots and lots of opportunities to practice the art of jikoshoukai. You'll be a master in no time!

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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 480,759 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 71 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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