と言います
to iimasu
To say I am called in Japanese, put your name before と言います (to iimasu).
Use it when introducing yourself, saying your name followed by と言います. It is polite and fine for most first meetings.
What does it mean word for word?
と marks the name as what is said, and 言います is the polite form of the verb to say. Together they mean I am called.
Which one should you use?
です after your name simply means I am and is also very common. と言います puts a little more weight on the name itself.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In very formal or business situations, use と申します instead of と言います to sound humble.
When do people say it?
Japanese usually leaves out the word for I in this phrase, because it is clear from context who is speaking.
Did you know?
- In Japan, you rarely say your own name first when introducing yourself to a superior. It is more common to state your company or organization before using と言います to establish your social position.
- When introducing yourself, you might use と言います while avoiding eye contact or looking slightly downward, as direct, intense eye contact during introductions can be perceived as aggressive in Japan.
- The humble version と申します uses a special verb 申す that is only used for the speaker and never for the person they are talking to.
Examples in context
- 田中と言います。Tanaka to iimasu.I am called Tanaka.
- 佐藤と言います。Sato to iimasu.I am called Sato.
- 鈴木と言います。よろしくお願いします。Suzuki to iimasu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.I am called Suzuki. Nice to meet you.
Example conversation
Two people meet at a networking event.
- 大翔 Hiroto大翔と言います。Hiroto to iimasu.I am called Hiroto.
- 陽葵 Himari陽葵と言います。はじめまして。Himari to iimasu. Hajimemashite.I am called Himari. Nice to meet you.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さん、よろしくお願いします。Himari-san, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Himari, nice to meet you.
- 陽葵 Himariこちらこそ、大翔さん。Kochira koso, Hiroto-san.Likewise, Hiroto.
