Introducing yourself

❃ Introducing yourself

初めまして、〜と申します。 [ Hajimemashite, ... to moushimasu. ]: Nice to meet you, I am ...
フランスから来ました。 [ Furansu kara kimashita. ]: I come from France.
私は旅行者です。 [ Watashi wa ryokousha desu. ]: I am a tourist.
私は学生です。 [ Watashi wa gakusei desu. ]: I am a student.
私は会社員です。 [ Watashi wa kaishain desu. ]: I am an office worker.
年齢は三十歳です。 [ Nenrei wa sanjussai desu. ]: I am 30 years old.
日本は初めてです。 [ Nihon wa hajimete desu. ]: It's my first time in Japan.
日本は三回目です。 [ Nihon wa sankaime desu. ]: It's my third time in Japan.
東京に二週間滞在します。 [ Toukyou ni nishuukan taizai shimasu. ]: I will stay in Tokyo for two weeks.
趣味は旅行と写真です。 [ Shumi wa ryokou to shashin desu. ]: My hobbies are traveling and photography.
日本食が大好きです。 [ Nihonshoku ga daisuki desu. ]: I love Japanese food.
日本語を一年間勉強しています。 [ Nihongo o ichinenkan benkyou shite imasu. ]: I have been studying Japanese for one year.
アニメが好きで日本語を始めました。 [ Anime ga suki de nihongo o hajimemashita. ]: I started Japanese because I like anime.
お名前は何ですか。 [ Onamae wa nan desu ka. ]: What is your name?
どこから来ましたか。 [ Doko kara kimashita ka. ]: Where are you from?
お仕事は何ですか。 [ Oshigoto wa nan desu ka. ]: What is your job?
これからもよろしくお願いします。 [ Korekara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu. ]: I look forward to our continued relationship.
家族と日本に来ました。 [ Kazoku to Nihon ni kimashita. ]: I came to Japan with my family.
一人旅です。 [ Hitoritabi desu. ]: I am traveling alone.
楽しんでいます。 [ Tanoshinde imasu. ]: I am enjoying it.

Cultural notes

In Japan, the formal self-introduction, known as "Jikoshoukai" (自己紹介), is much more than a casual exchange of names; it is a vital, highly structured social ritual. Whether you are joining a new company, entering a language class, or meeting a host family for the first time, how you introduce yourself sets the tone for your entire future relationship with that group. A proper Jikoshoukai always begins with a slight bow and the phrase "Hajimemashite" (初めまして), which means "We meet for the first time." Following this, the content of the introduction is usually kept simple and humble. You state your name, your country of origin ("Furansu kara kimashita" - フランスから来ました / I come from France), and perhaps your current status or occupation ("Watashi wa kaishain desu" - 私は会社員です / I am an office worker). In Japanese culture, modesty is highly valued, so bragging about your achievements or oversharing deeply personal details during a first encounter is generally avoided. The goal is to present yourself as a polite, cooperative individual ready to integrate into the group's dynamics. The absolute core and most crucial part of this ritual is the concluding phrase: "Yoroshiku onegaishimasu" (よろしくお願いします). This culturally dense phrase has no direct translation in Western languages. It roughly means "Please treat me well," "I look forward to our relationship," or "I rely on your goodwill." Functionally, it acts as a preemptive apology for any future mistakes you might make and a humble request for the group's support. Ending a self-introduction without saying "Yoroshiku onegaishimasu" feels jarring and incomplete to Japanese ears.

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