Introducing Yourself in Japanese: A Complete and Practical Guide
Self-introduction is one of the most important aspects of communication, especially in Japanese culture where politeness is highly valued. In this article, we will guide you through the key steps for introducing yourself in Japanese in a clear and polite manner, complete with example sentences that you can start practicing right away.
Example of a Self-Introduction
Initial Introduction:
はじめまして (Hajimemashite) – "Hello" / "Nice to meet you"
This is a common greeting when meeting someone for the first time.かつまさひこ です / といいます (Katsu Masahiko desu / to iimasu)
"My name is Masahiko Katsu."
Both です (desu) and といいます (to iimasu) are polite ways to introduce your name.まさひこ と よんでください (Masahiko to yonde kudasai)
"Please call me Masahiko."
This is how you can ask someone to use your first name or a nickname.よこはましゅっしんです (Yokohama shusshin desu)
"I am from Yokohama."(ねんれいは) 19さいです ((Nenree wa) Juukyusai desu)
"I am 19 years old."
You can mention your age by using さい (sai) for years old.がくせいです (Gakusei desu)
"I am a student."しゅみはゴルフです (Shumi wa gorufu desu)
"My hobby is golf."どうぞ、よろしくおねがいします (Doozo, yoroshiku onegaishimasu)
"Nice to meet you. Please take care of me."
This is a polite way to end your introduction, often used in both formal and casual situations.
1. Beginning and Ending Your Introduction
- To begin your introduction, you can use はじめまして (Hajimemashite), meaning "Hello" or "Nice to meet you."
- To finish, add どうぞ、よろしくおねがいします (Doozo, yoroshiku onegaishimasu), which means "Please guide me" or "Nice to meet you." It's an essential phrase in Japanese culture to express humility and politeness.
2. Mentioning Your Name
Name です (Name desu)
"I am [name]."More formal: Name といいます (Name to iimasu)
"My name is [name]."Most formal (for adults or professionals): 名前と申します (Name to moushimasu)
"My name is [name]."
This is a very polite way of introducing yourself in formal or professional contexts.
Examples:
- アケミです (Akemi desu) – "I am Akemi."
- アケミといいます (Akemi to iimasu) – "My name is Akemi."
- アケミと申します (Akemi to moushimasu) – "My name is Akemi" (most polite and formal).
3. Saying Nicknames
- Nickname と よんでください (Nickname to yonde kudasai)
"Please call me [nickname]."
Example:
- アケミとよんでください (Akemi to yonde kudasai) – "Call me Akemi."
This is useful in formal situations or if your full name is hard for others to remember.
4. Mentioning Your Nationality
- [Country Name] じんです ([Country Name]-jin desu)
"I am from [country]."
Examples:
- 日本人です (Nihon-jin desu) – "I am Japanese."
- アメリカ人です (Amerika-jin desu) – "I am American."
5. Mentioning Your Birthplace
- [Place of Birth] (の) しゅっしんです ([Place of Birth] (no) shusshin desu)
"I am from [place of birth]."
Examples:
- きょうとしゅっしんです (Kyoto shusshin desu) – "I am from Kyoto."
- ニューヨークしゅっしんです (Nyuyooku shusshin desu) – "I am from New York."
6. Stating Your Age
- (ねんれいは) [number] さいです ((Nenree wa) [number] sai desu)
"I am [number] years old."
Examples:
- 17さいです (Juunana sai desu) – "I am 17 years old."
- 23さいです (Nijuu-san sai desu) – "I am 23 years old."
7. Mentioning Your Profession or Status
- [Profession/Status] です ([Profession/Status] desu)
"I am a [profession/status]."
Examples:
- がくせいです (Gakusei desu) – "I am a student."
- エンジニアです (Enjinia desu) – "I am an engineer."
8. Mentioning Your Hobbies
- しゅみは [hobby] です (Shumi wa [hobby] desu)
"My hobby is [hobby]."
Examples:
- しゅみはやきゅうです (Shumi wa yakyuu desu) – "My hobby is baseball."
- しゅみはサッカーです (Shumi wa sakkaa desu) – "My hobby is soccer."
9. Other Expressions in Self-Introduction
ゆめは [dream] です (Yume wa [dream] desu)
"My dream is [dream]."私は [favorite] が好きです (Watashi wa [favorite] ga suki desu)
"I like [favorite]."
These additional phrases will help you introduce yourself more fully and make your conversations more engaging.
By using these polite and easy-to-understand sentence structures, you’ll be able to introduce yourself confidently in both formal and casual situations in Japan. We hope this guide helps you master self-introductions in Japanese!