Foundation • Introductions

👋 Japanese Self-Introductions - jikoshiyoukai

Master the art of introducing yourself in Japanese! Self-introductions are crucial in Japanese culture and follow a specific pattern. Learn the essential phrases and cultural context to make a great first impression.

🎯 The Standard Introduction Pattern


Japanese self-introductions follow a predictable, polite structure that makes them easy to learn and use. Here's the step-by-step pattern:

📋 Standard Introduction Steps:

  • 1. はじめまして - Opening greeting
  • 2. わたしは[name]です - State your name
  • 3. [nationality]じんです - Say your nationality
  • 4. [age]さいです - State your age (optional)
  • 5. [occupation/school info] - Your work or studies
  • 6. よろしくおねがいします - Polite closing

Advertisement

Sample Introduction Dialog


Dialog: Here is an introduction between an exchange student, Alice, and a Japanese student, Yamada.

Japanese:

Alice:

hajimemashite.watashihaarisudesu.amerikajindesu.jiyuukiyuusaidesu.ninenseidesu.senkouhashinrigakudesu.douzoyoroshikuonegaishimasu.

Yamada:

hajimemashite.watashihayamadadesu.nihonjindesu.nijiyuuいっisaidesu.sannenseidesu.senkouhabijinesudesu.yoroshikuonegaishimasu.

Alice:

yamadasan,yoroshikuonegaishimasu.

English Translation:

Alice: Nice to meet you. I'm Alice. I'm American. I'm 19 years old. I'm a second-year student. I'm majoring in psychology. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Yamada: Nice to meet you. I'm Yamada. I'm Japanese. I'm 21 years old. I'm a third-year student. I'm majoring in business. Nice to meet you.

Alice: Yamada, it's nice to meet you.

📋 A basic self-introduction typically includes:

  • 1. Saying hello
  • 2. Stating your name
  • 3. Saying where you're from
  • 4. Stating your age
  • 5. Talking about your occupation, school year, or major
  • 6. Closing politely

👋

hajimemashite


hajimemashite is a set phrase in Japanese used the first time you meet someone. It's often translated as "Nice to meet you," but its literal meaning is closer to "This is our first time (meeting)." The root of the word, hajime, comes from the verb hajimeru, meaning "to begin." So, hajimemashiteexpresses the beginning of a new relationship or interaction.

📚 Cultural Note:

The phrase has its roots in classical Japanese court language and literature, where expressing the nature of first encounters was especially important in formal settings. Over time, it became a standard greeting in modern Japanese, reflecting the importance placed on etiquette and social harmony.

watashiwa


watashiwa is one of the most common ways to say "I am…" in Japanese. The word watashi is a first-person pronoun that means "I" or "me," and is widely used in formal and polite situations, regardless of gender. It is often the first pronoun learners encounter and is considered standard in most contexts.

📝 Grammar Note:

The wa (pronounced "wa" here) is the topic particle. Rather than marking the subject as in English, it marks the topic of the sentence—the thing you're going to talk about. So when you say watashiwa, you're essentially saying, "As for me..." or "Speaking of myself..." This sets up the rest of your sentence to describe something about yourself.

💡 Examples:

  • watashiwaarisudesu. - I am Alice.
  • senkouwashinrigakudesu. - (My) major is psychology.

Advertisement

🌍

jin


jin is a common and essential suffix in Japanese used to indicate a person's nationality or ethnic identity. It is attached to the end of a country name to mean "a person from ___."

🗺️ Examples:

  • amerika = America
  • amerikajin= an American person
  • nihon = Japan
  • nihonjin= a Japanese person

🎓

sei


The suffix sei is used in Japanese to describe a person's school year or educational level. It is attached to a number or school type to say what grade or year a student is in.

📚 Examples:

  • koukousei= high school student
  • ichinensei= first-year student
  • ninensei= second-year student

📖

senkou


senkou means "major" or "field of study" in Japanese. It refers to the academic subject that a college or university student is focusing on. The word comes from two kanji:

🔤 Etymology:

  • 専 (sen) - meaning "exclusive" or "specialized"
  • 攻 (kou) - meaning "to attack" or "pursue" (in this context, "to study intensely")

💡 Examples:

  • senkouwashinrigakudesu.= I major in psychology.
  • senkouwabijinesudesu.= I major in business.

Advertisement

🎂

sai


sai is a suffix used in Japanese to indicate a person's age. It is attached to a number to express how old someone is.

❗ Note: Pronunciation Exceptions

Some numbers have special readings when combined with sai:

NumberHiraganaRomajiNotes
1
いっisai
issaiNot ichi-sai
8
wasai
hassaiNot hachi-sai
20
watachi
hatachiSpecial term for 20 years old

📝 Note: Small tsu - Sokuon

The small tsu, written as っ, is called the sokuon, and it indicates a glottal stop or pause—like a brief moment of silence before the next consonant. It effectively doubles the consonant that follows it.

Compare and see if you can hear the difference:

  • saka= slope
  • saka= author

🙏

yoroshikuonegaishimasu


yoroshikuonegaishimasu is a fundamental phrase in Japanese that is often translated as "Nice to meet you," "Please take care of me," or "I look forward to working with you." However, it doesn't have a direct English equivalent. The word yoroshiku means "favorably" or "well," and onegaishimasu comes from the verb negau, meaning "to wish" or "to request." Together, the phrase expresses a humble request for kindness, cooperation, or goodwill in a new relationship or collaboration.

Practice Quiz


Section SelectionPhase 1 Assessment

Advertisement