Learn JapaneseLesson 140: Introducing yourself
In this lesson we'll learn a basic introduction you can use when meeting someone for the first time. As with other aspects of the language, the vocabulary and verb conjugations may vary in terms of formality depending on the situation and who you are speaking to. The example we introduce here is standard polite Japanese, suitable for most circumstances.
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| How do you do? / Nice to meet you. |
はじめまして。 hazimemasite. |
| What is (your) name? |
お名前は何ですか？ onamae ha nan desu ka? |
| My name is Jon. |
私の名前はジョンです。 watasi no namae ha zyon desu. |
| (I) am from Los Angeles, U.S.A. |
アメリカのロサンゼルスから来ました。 amerika no rosanzerusu kara kimasita. |
| I'm pleased to meet you. Please treat me well |
どうぞよろしく。 douzo yorosiku. |
| I'm pleased to meet you. Please treat me well |
よろしくお願いします。 yorosiku onegaisimasu. |
When asking for someone's name, it is polite to use the honorific お in front of 名前.
よろしくお願いします is more formal than どうぞよろしく, but they mean the same thing. Literally translated they mean something like please treat me well. Though in English this sounds strange, in Japanese this is a normal way to greet someone you've just met.
Lesson contributors
Erik