Translation guide
How to introduce yourself naturally in Japanese, covering formal and casual situations.
The standard way to introduce yourself, stating your name and a brief greeting.
The most common and polite self-introduction. 'Hajimemashite' means 'Nice to meet you for the first time.' 'Yoroshiku onegai shimasu' is a set phrase expressing a request for goodwill, often translated as 'Please be kind to me' or 'I look forward to working with you.'
初めまして、田中です。よろしくお願いします。
Nice to meet you, I'm Tanaka. I look forward to working with you.
A casual version, dropping 'Hajimemashite' and using the shorter 'Yoroshiku'. Suitable among friends or peers.
健太です。よろしく。
I'm Kenta. Nice to meet you.
A very polite version using 'to mōshimasu' (humble form of 'to say') and 'itashimasu' (humble form of 'to do'). Suitable for formal business settings.
初めまして。山田と申します。よろしくお願いいたします。
Nice to meet you. My name is Yamada. I look forward to working with you.
Introducing yourself in a more structured setting, often including affiliation or role.
Standard pattern for stating your affiliation (company, school, etc.) before your name.
ABC会社の田中です。よろしくお願いします。
I'm Tanaka from ABC Company. Pleased to meet you.
Formal version for business meetings, adding 'honjitsu wa' (today) to emphasize the occasion.
XYZ大学の鈴木と申します。本日はよろしくお願いいたします。
I'm Suzuki from XYZ University. Thank you for having me today.
Very informal introduction, often just stating your name.
Adding a bit about yourself, such as hobbies or origin, to make the introduction friendlier.
A friendly way to introduce yourself and share an interest. 'Ga suki desu' means 'I like...'.
田中です。映画が好きです。よろしくお願いします。
I'm Tanaka. I like movies. Nice to meet you.
Useful when introducing yourself in a new place or to people from other regions.
鈴木です。大阪から来ました。よろしくお願いします。
I'm Suzuki. I'm from Osaka. Nice to meet you.
The English phrase 'self-introduction' is often translated as 自己紹介 (jikoshōkai), but in actual introductions, Japanese people rarely say 'This is my self-introduction.' Instead, they use set phrases like 初めまして (Hajimemashite) or simply state their name. Use 自己紹介 only when referring to the act of introducing oneself, e.g., 自己紹介をします (I will do a self-introduction).
In Japan, a slight bow often accompanies a self-introduction, especially in formal settings. The depth and duration of the bow depend on the formality of the situation. In casual settings, a nod or small bow is sufficient.