Whether you take Japanese classes to travel to Japan or just to read manga, there are a few facts about learning Japanese that you need to get to grips with.
Firstly, knowing how to introduce yourself and start conversations is hugely important in any language, especially Japanese. In fact, in Japanese culture, there’s a strict system of etiquette that you need to be aware of, too. 1
Learning to introduce yourself can be seen as a positive sign of willingness to integrate into Japanese culture and an interest in the Japanese language. The key is to be direct while remaining courteous when you're greeting someone.
When you introduce yourself in Japanese, start with a greeting, say your name, and close politely with "Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."
Sentence example: "Hajimemashite. [Name] desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."
Nice to meet you. I'm [Name]. Please treat me kindly.
What A Japanese Self-Introduction Usually Includes
In Japanese, self-introduction is known as Jikoushoukai 自己紹介（じこしょうかい). 2
The Basic Order Of An Introduction In Japanese
There is a standard sequence for sentence structure that you can use for Japanese greetings as a beginner.
1st
Greeting
2nd
Mention your name
3rd
Mention some basic details of yourself
4th
End with a polite closing phrase
Why Japanese Introductions Are Short And Polite
The Japanese language is a reflection of its rich culture, which is rooted in values of humility, respect and consideration for others. It is very important to create a comfortable first impression.
When meeting someone for the first time, it's common to keep your introduction short and stick to the basics. Rather than sharing lots of personal information, people usually mention only what's necessary.
Unless someone asks, it's best not to talk too much about your life experiences or achievements. This helps you avoid coming across as boastful while also showing respect for the other person's time.
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Essential Phrases To Introduce Yourself In Japanese
The Most Important Beginner Expressions
Here are some easy and useful beginner expressions that you can memorize if you are meeting a Japanese person for the first time.
- はじめまして (Hajimemashite) ➡️Nice to meet you (formal version)
- どうぞよろしく (Dōzo yoroshiku) ➡️Also means Nice to meet you (but a casual version)
- ○○です ([Name] desu) ➡️I am [Name]. Eg: Susan desu.
- よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu)➡️ Please treat me kindly (an implication of goodwill to build a good relationship)
Meanwhile, learn how to count in Japanese.
Useful Phrases For Adding Extra Details
After mentioning your name, you can add in more details about yourself. You don't need to include all of these details in one introduction, but you can learn them in advance just in case you want to make your introduction more personal in casual settings or language exchange events.
Here are some examples:
➡️カナダから来ました。
Kanada kara kimashita.
I'm from Canada.
➡️ トロントから来ました。
Toronto kara kimashita.
I'm from Toronto.
➡️私はエンジニアです。
Watashi wa enjinia desu.
I am an engineer.
➡️ 趣味は旅行です。
Shumi wa ryokō desu.
My hobby is travelling.
Here's an overview of the essential phrases for different occasions.
| Japanese Phrase | Romanization | English Meaning | Formality Level | When To Use It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| はじめまして | Hajimemashite | Nice to meet you | Formal / Neutral | First-time introductions |
| ○○です | [Name] desu | I'm [Name] | Formal / Neutral | Any introduction |
| よろしくお願いします | Yoroshiku onegaishimasu | Please treat me kindly / Nice to meet you | Formal | Work, school, business, first meetings |
| どうぞよろしく | Dōzo yoroshiku | Nice to meet you | Casual | Friends, classmates, language exchange |
| ○○から来ました | ○○ kara kimashita | I'm from... | Neutral | Mentioning your country or city |
| 会社員です | Kaishain desu | I'm an office worker | Neutral | Talking about your job |
| 学生です | Gakusei desu | I'm a student | Neutral | School or university |
| 英語の先生です | Eigo no sensei desu | I'm an English teacher | Neutral | Talking about your profession |
| 趣味は○○です | Shumi wa ○○ desu | My hobby is... | Neutral | Casual conversations |
Meanwhile, learn how to count in Japanese.
How To Introduce Yourself In Japanese Step By Step
Now, let's go through the steps to introduce yourself in detail.
Step 1: Start with a Greeting
You can't go wrong with Hajimemashite during first meetings, as it literally means we are meeting for the first time. Additionally, you can use time-appropriate Japanese greetings:
Ohayō gozaimasu
- Good morning
Konnichiwa
- Good afternoon
Konbanwa
- Good evening
Step 2: State your Name
The common way is to say [Name] desu. For non-Japanese, you can keep your name order. Eg: Susan Smith desu. You don't have to translate your name into Japanese.
Japanese names are traditionally written and spoken with the surname (family name) first.
For example, if a Japanese actor like Hiroyuki Sanada were to introduce himself in Japanese, he would say Sanada Hiroyuki desu.
Step 3: Add Optional Details
Here are some common details you can include in your self-introduction, depending on the setting.
- If you are in a corporate setting: You can mention your company, department, or current position
- If you are an exchange programme student: You can mention your university, major, or year of study
- If you are currently travelling: You can mention your country and the city you're living in
- If it's a casual meeting: You can talk about your hobbies or favourite things
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Step 4: End with a Polite Closing Phase
The most common ending phrase is Yoroshiku onegaishimasu, which can be useful both in business and non-business Japanese, where the nuance changes by situation. 3
For business settings, Yoroshiku onegaishimasu often implies "I look forward to meeting with you", or "Please take care of this."
In-Person Conversations
- When meeting a client
- When making a request
- When ending a formal meeting
Official Work Emails
- First-time email to someone (in the same company or another company)
- Public announcements and surveys
In non-business settings, it can just function as a polite closing phrase.
Tip: You should also learn how to tell the time in Japanese. This is also useful for starting conversations.
Example Self-Introductions In Japanese
Explore different examples of self-introductions in Japanese while keeping it simple and polite.
Very Short Introduction
These three sentences are the most common format for first meetings and can be used for almost any situation.
Japanese
- はじめまして。
- エマです。
- よろしくお願いします。
Romanization
- Hajimemashite.
- Ema desu.
- Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
English
- Nice to meet you.
- I'm Emma.
- Please treat me kindly.
Formal Introduction
For formal introductions involving settings like schools, work meetings or even interviews, it's best to include where you're from before ending with a polite closing.
Japanese
- はじめまして。
- エマです。
- カナダから来ました。
- よろしくお願いします。
Romanization
- Hajimemashite.
- Ema desu.
- Kanada kara kimashita.
- Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
English
- Nice to meet you.
- I'm Emma.
- I'm from Canada.
- Please treat me kindly.
Casual Introduction
This can be used in a relaxed setting. For example, meeting new friends, classmates, or people at a language exchange.
Japanese
- はじめまして。
- エマです。
- 趣味は映画を見ることです。
- どうぞよろしく
Romanization
- Hajimemashite.
- Ema desu.
- Shumi wa eiga o miru koto desu
- Dōzo yoroshiku
English
- Nice to meet you.
- I'm Emma.
- My hobby is watching movies.
- Let's get along well.
Note: どうぞよろしく (Dōzo yoroshiku) is a casual version of よろしくお願いします (Yoroshiku onegaishimasu).
| Japanese | Romanization | Natural English | Formality |
|---|---|---|---|
| よろしくお願いします | Yoroshiku onegaishimasu | Please treat me kindly / Nice to meet you | Formal |
| どうぞよろしく | Dōzo yoroshiku | Nice to meet you | Casual |
| よろしく | Yoroshiku | Nice to meet you / Looking forward to it | Very casual |
Self-Introduction With Job Or Nationality
Since we've included nationality in the earlier example, let's try out a profession with nationality combined.
Japanese
- はじめまして。
- エマです。
- カナダから来ました。
- エンジニアです。
- よろしくお願いします。
Romanization
- Hajimemashite.
- Ema desu.
- Kanada kara kimashita.
- Enjinia desu.
- Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
English
- Nice to meet you.
- I'm Emma.
- I'm from Canada.
- I'm an engineer.
- Please treat me kindly.
Pronunciation And Romanization Guide
For most non-Japanese speakers, we have to rely on romanization to master the right pronunciation for important phrases. Good pronunciation not only helps to convey our message correctly, but also shows respect and appreciation towards the Japanese language and culture itself.
Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going
Rita Mae Brown
How To Pronounce The Key Phrases
Since December 2025, the Hepburn Romanization is the official romanization system adopted by the Japanese government. 4 This means that it is used for Japanese learning in terms of writing Japanese using the Latin alphabet.
Hepburn romanization is named after James Curtis Hepburn, an American physician and Christian missionary in Japan during the 19th century. His Japanese–English dictionary helped popularize a romanization system that became widely used for writing Japanese in the Latin alphabet.
Romanization is a good way to familiarise yourself with the pronunciation of Japanese before diving deep into the real ABCs of Japanese: hiragana and katakana.
If you want to be as natural and accurate as possible, try listening to native speakers whenever possible. Imitate how they pronounce each syllable clearly with a steady rhythm.
Common Beginner Mistakes (Pronunciation, Politeness Level)
As beginners, it's common to make mistakes when you are pronouncing new phrases, as some Japanese words and syllables can be quite tricky.
One common mistake made by most English speakers is blending syllables when we're supposed to pronounce each syllable evenly. Let's look at the example of yoroshiku.
❌ Yo-ro-shick-you
✅ Yo-ro-shee-ku
Here are more examples to take note of:
| Phrase | Romanization | Pronunciation Hint | Common Mispronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| はじめまして | Hajimemashite | hah-jee-meh-mah-shee-teh | Saying “ha-jeem-meet” or skipping syllables |
| エマです | Ema desu | eh-ma dess | Pronouncing desu as “deh-soo” instead of a softer “dess” |
| カナダから来ました | Kanada kara kimashita | kah-nah-dah kah-rah kee-mah-shee-tah | Rushing the phrase or stressing “Canada” like in English |
| エンジニアです | Enjinia desu | en-jee-nee-ah dess | Pronouncing “engineer” with an English accent |
| よろしくお願いします | Yoroshiku onegaishimasu | yo-ro-shee-ku oh-neh-guy-shee-mahss | Saying “yo-ro-shick-you” or pronouncing every u strongly |
| どうぞよろしく | Dōzo yoroshiku | doh-zoh yo-ro-shee-ku | Dropping the long “ō” sound in dōzo |
Having said that, the correct pronunciation must be paired with the right politeness level. Still using the same example of yoroshiku, let's look at how it fits different settings. If you are meeting your teacher or a colleague for the first time:
❌ Dōzo yoroshiku (only for casual conversations)
✅ Yoroshiku onegaishimasu
Another common mistake that beginners usually make is overcomplicating your self-introduction. Remember, you don't have to use long, complex sentences to sound fluent. Just stick to the basic sentences that are easier to pronounce and easier for the listener to understand.
Cultural Tips For Japanese Introductions
Understanding the cultural expectations behind these Japanese self-introduction phrases will make your Japanese language learning journey more rewarding and effective.
Be Polite And Concise
In Japanese culture, courtesy is more highly regarded than confidence. A simple and polite self-introduction shows that you respect the other person's time and understand the social setting.
Match The Level Of Formality To The Situation
As shown earlier, the same introduction phase changes depending on who you're speaking to.
At work (with a manager)
- はじめまして。エマです。よろしくお願いします。
- Hajimemashite. Ema desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
- Nice to meet you. I'm Emma. Please treat me kindly
With a new friend (same age/younger)
- はじめまして！エマです。どうぞよろしく！
- Hajimemashite! Ema desu. Dōzo yoroshiku!
- Nice to meet you! I'm Emma. Nice to meet you!
Tip: When in doubt, use the polite version because it works in most situations.
Avoid Sounding Too Direct Or Too Long
Always remember, your goal is not to impress, but to make the other person feel comfortable. Instead of talking about your hobbies or life experiences all at once, you should share only what's relevant to the situation.
Having a short Japanese self-introduction is a nod to the Japanese cultural preference for modesty, which allows the conversation to grow naturally over time.
When To Bow And When To Smile
During a formal introduction in Japan, we often bow slightly as a form of respect and acknowledgement to the other person. For example, a small nod of the head while saying Hajimemashite is perfectly appropriate.
On the other hand, a warm smile is often enough when you are meeting someone in a casual setting, such as your coursemates or language exchange partners.
The Top 10 Expressions for Introducing Yourself in Japanese
Here’s a table summarizing the Japanese expressions that you’ll need to introduce yourself.
| Japanese Phrase | Romanization | English Meaning | When To Use It |
|---|---|---|---|
| はじめまして | Hajimemashite | Nice to meet you | Use when meeting someone for the first time. |
| 私は○○です | Watashi wa ○○ desu | I’m ○○ / My name is ○○ | A simple and common way to introduce your name. |
| 私は○○と申します | Watashi wa ○○ to mōshimasu | My name is ○○ (very polite) | Formal situations such as business meetings or official introductions. |
| どうぞよろしくお願いします | Dōzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu | I look forward to getting to know you / Please treat me kindly | Formal introductions, work, school, and first meetings. |
| こちらこそよろしくお願いします | Kochira koso yoroshiku onegaishimasu | Likewise / Nice to meet you too | Responding when someone says yoroshiku onegaishimasu. |
| ○○から来ました | ○○ kara kimashita | I’m from ○○ | Sharing your country, city, or hometown. |
| 私は○○人です | Watashi wa ○○jin desu | I’m ○○ (nationality) | Talking about your nationality. |
| ○○に住んでいます | ○○ ni sundeimasu | I live in ○○ | Sharing where you currently live. |
| ○○歳です | ○○ sai desu | I’m ○○ years old | Sharing your age, when appropriate. |
| ○○に興味があります | ○○ ni kyōmi ga arimasu | I’m interested in ○○ | Talking about hobbies, interests, or topics you enjoy. |
Make Your Japanese Introduction Sound Natural
One of the measures of language fluency is how natural you sound when you speak. A simple and polite self-introduction can go wrong if you are not aware of these mistakes.
Saying Too Much Too Soon
Trying to include too much information at once during introductions will hinder the flow of a conversation.
| ❌ Less Natural | ✅ More Natural |
|---|---|
| はじめまして。エマです。カナダから来ました。25歳です。エンジニアです。映画が好きです。旅行が好きです。毎日コーヒーを飲みます。よろしくお願いします。 | はじめまして。エマです。カナダから来ました。エンジニアです。よろしくお願いします。 |
| Hajimemashite. Ema desu. Kanada kara kimashita. Nijūgo-sai desu. Enjinia desu. Eiga ga suki desu. Ryokō ga suki desu. Mainichi kōhī o nomimasu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. | Hajimemashite. Ema desu. Kanada kara kimashita. Enjinia desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. |
| Nice to meet you. I'm Emma. I'm from Canada. I'm 25 years old. I'm an engineer. I like movies. I like travelling. I drink coffee every day. Please treat me kindly. | Nice to meet you. I'm Emma. I'm from Canada. I'm an engineer. Please treat me kindly. |
Using Casual Language In Formal Settings
When meeting someone for the first time, it is safer to use polite language until you become more familiar with the person.
| ❌ Less Appropriate | ✅ More Appropriate |
|---|---|
| はじめまして。エマだよ。よろしく。 | はじめまして。エマです。よろしくお願いします。 |
| Hajimemashite. Ema da yo. Yoroshiku. | Hajimemashite. Ema desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. |
| Nice to meet you. I'm Emma. Nice to meet you. | Nice to meet you. I'm Emma. Please treat me kindly. |
Forgetting To Use "Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu"
Without yoroshiku onegaishimasu, a Japanese self-introduction often feels incomplete as it shows respect and expresses your hope for a good relationship.
| ❌ Incomplete | ✅ Natural |
|---|---|
| はじめまして。エマです。カナダから来ました。 | はじめまして。エマです。カナダから来ました。よろしくお願いします。 |
| Hajimemashite. Ema desu. Kanada kara kimashita. | Hajimemashite. Ema desu. Kanada kara kimashita. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. |
| Nice to meet you. I'm Emma. I'm from Canada. | Nice to meet you. I'm Emma. I'm from Canada. Please treat me kindly. |
Confusing "Hajimemashite" With A General Greeting
This phrase is specifically for meeting someone for the first time. It is awkward to use it if you are meeting the same person again.
| ❌ Incorrect | ✅ Correct |
|---|---|
| (Meeting the same friend again) はじめまして！エマです。 | (Meeting the same friend again) こんにちは！ |
| (Meeting the same friend again) Hajimemashite! Ema desu. | (Meeting the same friend again) Konnichiwa! |
| Nice to meet you! I'm Emma. | Hello! |
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. These simple Japanese expressions obviously won’t make you fluent in the language. However, they’re useful expressions for anyone who’s just started learning the language or anyone who’s planning a trip to Japan.
Nice to meet you
I'm Emma.
I'm from Canada
Please treat me kindly.
Once you’re there, the Japanese will appreciate a foreigner making an effort to introduce themselves in Japanese and follow the general rules of politeness observed in the country.
Which phrase do you find hardest to pronounce?
References
- Japan National Tourism Organization. (2025). Understanding and Mastering Japanese Manners and Etiquette | Story | Travel Japan (Japan National Tourism Organization). In Travel Japan. https://www.japan.travel/en/guide/understanding-and-mastering-japanese-manners-and-etiquette/
- Suzuki, M., & Richey, M. (2016). Your Step-by-Step Jikoshoukai Guide. In Tofugu. https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/jikoshoukai/
- How to Use “Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu” in Business Emails & Meetings | Japonin (JOI). (2025). Japonin.Com. https://www.japonin.com/deep-dive-yoroshiku-onegaishimasu-meaning.html
- Allen, J. (2025, March 11). Japan Prepares Official Hepburn Romanization Switch, Changing 70-Year Tradition. Unseen Japan. https://unseen-japan.com/japan-hepburn-romanization-70-years/
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