Question
I’m planning a business trip to Japan and will attend several meetings. I want to politely greet my Japanese client by saying “It’s nice to meet you” in Japanese. What should I say?
Japango Editor Team
はじめまして。よろしくお願いします。
Hajimemashite. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
It’s nice to meet you. Please treat me favorably.
The phrase “Hajimemashite” is used when meeting someone for the first time and translates to “nice to meet you” in English. Following this, it’s customary in Japan to say “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu”. This expression doesn’t have a direct English equivalent but implies a request for a good relationship moving forward. It’s considered polite and culturally appropriate to use both phrases together when greeting a new acquaintance, especially in business settings.
Don’t forget to pair these phrases with a slight bow as a sign of respect. You might repeat this phrase at the end of the meeting as well as an expression of gratitude and continued goodwill.
