Free Japanese Lessons
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Here is one of ten free audio lessons you'll find on this great site. There is also lots of videos and other good stuff. Enjoy. Introductions in Japanese are usually very formal affairs. They are an exchange of either full names or surnames followed by several standard set expressions. In a business situation company names are usually said before personal names. For example, "I am Microsoft's Gates Bill". When you meet Japanese and exchange greetings you will find it quite hard to catch their names. They tend to blurt their names out .....it feels like that anyway. So you need to be on the ball so to speak. I am assuming you already know that Japanese generally don't shake hands, instead they bow when greeting people. |
Unlike Westerns Japanese don't often introduce friends to other friends, co-workers or acquaintances. I have been in countless situations where some of my Japanese friends have bumped into their friends on the street or at a restaurant or bar and haven't introduce me. Come to think of it I don't know the names of some of my good friends' family members even though I do meet them quite often. I have never been formally introduced to them. My whole point is Japanese in most cases will only introduce you to someone if you are going to start some sort of relationship with them. This explains why business introductions are so important in Japan. If there is no real need for an introduction they won't do one. It is a little odd, but you should never take it personally.
In this lesson Kaoru and I talk about several ways on how to introduce yourself. Hope you enjoy the lesson.
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Romaji |
English |
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Hajimemashite |
How do you do? Nice to meet you. |
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（your name) desu. |
I am.................. |
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Watashi wa(your name) to mooshimasu |
I am.................. |
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Doozo-yoroshiku |
Please think kindly of me * |
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Doozo-yoroshiku-onegaishimasu |
Formally/Polite |
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Doozo-yoroshiku-onegai-itashimasu |
Formal/Polite |