Self-introduction is called 自己紹介 (Jiko shoukai) in Japanese.
How to do it is pretty simple and not difficult at all. Here are some of the most used words and phrases when you introduce yourself in Japanese.
1.はじめまして
(Hajimemashite : Nice to meet you)
This is the most common phrase used to greet someone you meet for the first time.
2.私は〜です。
(Watashiwa – desu : I’m – )
This phrase is used to introduce your name. To make it a little more casual, you can omit 私は(Watashiwa) and just say “- desu”.
In Japan, people introduce themselves by their family names or full names. If you want to be very polite, you can say 私は〜と申します(Watashiwa – to moushimasu).But in many cases, this is too formal and not commonly used. If you want to be called by your nickname, you can say 〜 と呼んでください ( – to yondekudasai : Please call me – ).
3.〜から来ました。
( – kara kimashita : I’m from – )
You can tell where you are from by using this phrase.
Another way of saying this is 〜出身です( – shushin desu).
4.〜が好きです
( – ga suki desu : I like – )
This is a common phrase when you want to talk about what you like.
You could talk about your favorite activities, food, places, and just about anything you like using the same expression. If you say 〜が大好きです( – ga daisuki desu), the meaning will be “I love -”.
5.仕事は〜です
(Shigoto wa – desu: My job is -)
Shigoto means Job. When you want to talk about your job, you can say like this. If you want to talk about the company or the place where you work, you can say, 〜で働いています ( – de hataraite imasu: I’m working at – ).
6.よろしくお願いします
(Yoroshiku onegai shimasu: Nice to meet you/Please treat me well)
This is a phrase that you use at the end of a self-introduction to express politeness especially to whom you will be working with.
Example self-introduction
1.はじめまして。 (Nice to meet you)
2.私はジョンです。 (I’m John)
3.アメリカから来ました。 (I’m from America)
4.日本のアニメが好きです。(I like Japanese anime)
5.仕事は英語の先生です。 (My job is to teach English)
6.よろしくお願いします。 (Nice to meet you/Please treat me well)
To keep the conversation going
You can use あなたはどうですか？/あなたは？(Anata ha doudesuka?/Anata ha? : How about you? /And you?) to keep the conversation flowing.
You can talk about yourself and then ask the person the same questions like below.
私は旅行と音楽が好きです。あなたはどうですか？
(Watashi wa ryokou to ongaku ga suki desu. Anata wa dou desuka? :
I like travelling and music. How about you?)
Next time when you have a chance to meet and talk to a Japanese, try using these phrases! If you would like to work more on Japanese or have any questions, feel free to contact me : [email protected]
Thank you for reading today’s post.
See you next time!
Taka
*I’m a professional composer by the way.
You can listen/download my music below.
