(name)

Hajimemashite. Watashi wa (name) desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

1. The first, quick way, to introduce yourself.

Everyone uses this. Its used when meeting new people.
1.

Nice to meet you Hajimemashite

2.

My name is (name). (There can be several variations.)

i.

ii.

I am (name). Watashi wa (name) desu. (name)

My name is (name) Watashi no namae wa (name) desu
(name)

iii.
3.

Im (name) (name) desu (name)(Note: this is very casual)

Please treat me well Yoroshiku onegaishimasu

i.

What in the world is Please treat me well? Well, it is a rough

translation and has no equivalent in English. This is simply a set
phrase you need to use in such encounters. Why? Because Japanese
language. Because politeness. And because why wouldnt you be treating a
new person well?

So, heres your script you might want to use.

(name)
Hajimemashite. Watashi wa (name) desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
2. The second way to introduce and talk about yourself.
In other words, this is your elevator pitch that youll use over and over when you
need to talk about yourself. In Japanese, this is called a jikoshoukai ( ) or
self-introduction, thats a lot more detailed than the method we used above. And it s
often used in group settings when everyone has to say a little about themselves.
In general, this second method is very useful to know because now you can talk
about yourself!
1.

Hello,nice to meet you.

2.

My name is

3.

I am from .

4.

I am years old.

5.

I am a (student/occupation).

6.

Ive been learning Japanese for

7.

I am learning Japanese because

8.

Please treat me well.

Heres how you introduce yourself in Japanese.

1.

Hello,nice to meet you.

i.

Hello konnichiwa

ii.
2.

Nice to meet you Hajimemashite

My name is

i.
3.

Watashi wa (name) desu. (name)

I am from .

i.

(Place) kara kimashita. (Place)

a.

ii.

Use it to say where youre from.

Amerikajin desu.

a.
4.

In case you want to say your nationality. I am American.

I am years old.
i.

5.

Watashi wa (age) sai desu. (age)

I am a (student/occupation).

i.

Watashi wa (position) desu. (position)

a.

ii.

I am a student: Watashi wa gakusei desu.

Watashi no shigoto wa (job) desu.(job)

a.

My job is programming: Watash no shigoto wa puroguramingu

desu.

iii.

(Job) o shiteimasu. (Job)

a.

Just means Im doing (job), as if youre answering What do

you do.

6.

Ive been learning Japanese for

i.

Watashi wa (time)kan nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu. (time)

a.

example: 1 year. Watashi wa ichi nen kan nihongo o benkyou

shiteimasu.

7.

I am learning Japanese because

i.

Watashi wa (reason) da/kara, nihongo o benkyoushiteimasu.

(reason) /

a.

example: Because youre interested in Japan.

a.

Watashi wa nihon ni kyoumi ga aru kara, nihongo o

benyoishiteimasu.

8.

Please treat me well

i.

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu

So, heres your introduction script you might want to use.

, (name) (age) (job)

(time) (reason) /

Or, if cant you read yet and just want to say it out loud:
Konnichiwa, Hajimemashite. Watashi wa (name) desu. Amerikajin desu. Watashi
wa (age) sai desu. Watashi no shigoto wa (job) desu. Watashi wa (time)kan
nihongo o benkyou shiteimasu. Watashi wa(reason) da/kara, nihongo o
benkyoushiteimasu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

When you meet or leave someone

Hello.

Konnichiwa.

Pronounce "n" and "ni" separately. It's like "kon-nichiwa".

Good morning.

Ohay gozaimasu.

The last vowel "u" is not pronounced ly. It's like "gozaimas".
Informal: Ohay.

Good evening.

Konbanwa.

Used at the beginning of the conversation, not at the end.

Good night.

Oyasuminasai.

Informal: Oyasumi.

Goodbye.

Saynara.

In general, used when people will not see each other for some time.
Informal: Sayonara. (short "o" after y).

See you.

Dewa mata.

See you tomorrow.

Dewa mata ashita.

See you next week.

Dewa mata raish.

dewa: well, now or so

mata: again
When you thank or apologize to someone

Thank you.

Arigat gozaimasu.

Thank you very much.

Dmo arigat gozaimasu.

Thank you. (past)

Arigat gozaimashita.

Thanks.

Dmo.

The last vowel "u" is not pronounced ly. gozaimas(u).

Dmo arigat gozaimasu.: To emphasize.
Arigat gozaimashita.: To thank for something in the past.
Dmo.: To thank for a small favor.
Informal: Arigat.

You're welcome.

Ditashimashite.

Don't mention it.

Iie.

Iie. (literally means "No.") also can be used with the rising accent if it's not a big deal.

Excuse me.

Sumimasen.

Yes.

Hai.

Used when you talk to someone, and to apologize for small faults (Sorry.).
Hai. (Yes.) can be used to answer someone's call.

I'm sorry.

Gomennasai.

I'm sorry.

Dmo sumimasen.

Don't be sorry.

Iie.

Dmo sumimasen. is also used. It sounds more polite.

As a response, Iie. can be used if it's not a big deal.
When you start or finish eating

(before eating)

Itadakimasu.

Literally means "I accept (the food)". Used when you start eating as a signal "Let's
start".
You can say this to the person who is treating you the meal.

(after eating)

Gochissamadeshita.

Literally means "It was a wonderful feast". Used when you finished eating.
You can say this to thank the person who treated you the meal.