The best ways to introduce yourself in Japanese

Wherever you are, whenever it is, the first impression is always very important. Nobody wants to make it uncomfortable, awkward…
In order to build good relationships with people, here are some basic expressions to introduce yourself smoothly.

・Hello.(for the first time)
Hajime mashite 初（はじ）めまして

“Hajime mashite” is a greeting that is used when you meet someone for the first time. It is literally only used the first time that you encounter a person and introductions are in order.

・My name is…
Watashi no namae wa [name] to moushi masu 私（わたし）の名前（なまえ）は[ ]と申（もう）します

This is for introducing your name in formal situations. Of course, you can use this in anytime, but it sometimes sounds too polite.

・I’m [name] (more frank than above)
Watashi wa [name/nationarity, etc…] desu 私（わたし）は[ ]です

When you want to introduce yourself more friendly, this is the most simple way to use. And this is not only for telling your name, but also you can tell other things about yourself.

・I came from [the place]
[home country] kara ki mashita [ ]から来（き）ました

Telling your home country or hometown, and this is a good way to start new conversations. Japan is a small country, but each place has so many uniqueness, so let’s share and find it!

・I’m [age] years old
Nenrei wa [age] sai desu 年齢（ねんれい）は[ ]歳（さい）です

Japan might be the country that people mind about their ages more than other countries. This may cause uncomfortable, so you may consider whether you could ask this question to the people.

・My hobby is…
Shumi wa [your hobby] desu 趣味（しゅみ）は[ ]です

This will help you to find some commons with new people around. It’s always fun to share what you are interested or to hear what they are interested.

・I like / don’t really like [ ]
Watashi wa [ ] ga suki / nigate desu [ ]が好（す）き／苦手（にがて）です

Japanese always tend to use a lot of indirect communication. Of course, you can say, “I hate…(watashi wa kirai)”, but it’s better for you to learn how to tell that more indirectly.

・I came here for [the purposes]
Nihon niha [the purpose] no tame ni ki mashita 日本（にほん）には[ ]のために来（き）ました

Telling the purpose of your visit, which can start the conversations with new people. Your purposes might interest some of the people there.

・Hope to get close to each other
Naka yoku shite kudasai, yoroshiku onegai shi masu 仲良（なかよ）くしてください、よろしくお願（ねが）いします

It depends on your occasions, but if you are trying to get along with the new group, this would be more simple and natural way.

・Hope to see you again / Was nice meeting you
Mata aeru to ureshii desu また会（あ）えると嬉（うれ）しいです

It is a good way to finish your introduction by using this sentence.