こんにちは、私の名前はマシューです
konnichiwa, watashi no namae wa mashuu desu
“Hello, my name is Matthew” in Japanese is こんにちは、私の名前はマシューです (konnichiwa, watashi no namae wa mashuu desu).
This phrase is a polite greeting used to introduce yourself to another person.
Which one should you use?
While こんにちは、私の名前はマシューです is a standard way to introduce yourself, it is more natural and casual in Japanese to omit the phrase watashi no namae wa (my name is) and simply say マシューです (I am Matthew).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrasing こんにちは、私の名前はマシューです is polite and suitable for formal introductions or when meeting someone for the first time.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word です at the end of the sentence functions as a polite copula, acting similarly to the English verb "to be" (am, is or are).
How do you pronounce it?
konnichiwa, watashi no namae wa mashuu desu
When do people say it?
When introducing yourself to a group, it is customary to say よろしくお願いします (Please treat me well) after stating your name.
Did you know?
- When saying 私の名前はマシューです, you may notice your name is written in a different script called katakana. This alphabet is used specifically for foreign names and loanwords to distinguish them from native Japanese words.
- Japanese has dozens of words for 'I' beyond 私 (watashi), and the one you choose signals your gender, age and social status. For example, a young man might use 僕 (boku) or 俺 (ore) instead of 私.
- When saying your name, it is common to add the honorific さん to others, but you must never add it to your own name when saying マシューです. Doing so would sound incredibly conceited.
Examples in context
- こんにちは、私の名前はマシューです。よろしくお願いします。Konnichiwa, watashi no namae wa Mashū desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Hello, my name is Matthew. Pleased to meet you.
Example conversation
Two students meet for the first time at a language school.
- 結衣 Yuiこんにちは、私の名前はマシューです。Konnichiwa, watashi no namae wa Mashū desu.Hello, my name is Matthew.
- 大翔 Hirotoこんにちは、マシューさん。私は結衣です。Konnichiwa, Mashū-san. Watashi wa Yui desu.Hello, Matthew. I am Yui.
- 結衣 Yui結衣さん、よろしくお願いします。Yui-san, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Yui, it is nice to meet you.
- 大翔 Hirotoこちらこそ、よろしくお願いします。Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Nice to meet you too.
