はじめまして
hajimemashite
はじめまして (hajimemashite) is the Japanese way to say "I am pleased to meet you".
はじめまして is a common expression used exclusively during the very first encounter with someone. It is not used when meeting an acquaintance again.
Which one should you use?
While はじめまして is a standard greeting, if you are meeting someone important and wish to convey a deeper sense of honor, you can use お会いできて光栄です, which means "I am honored to meet you".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
はじめまして is a polite, standard way to greet someone for the first time, making it suitable for most social and business situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a natural introduction, はじめまして is almost always followed by your name and the phrase yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
How do you pronounce it?
hajimemashite
Did you know?
- While English speakers say 'nice to meet you' while looking someone in the eye, doing so during hajimemashite can actually feel quite aggressive or confrontational in Japan.
- The phrase はじめまして comes from the verb はじめる, meaning 'to begin'. It literally suggests that the relationship between the two people is beginning at that moment.
- In formal settings, the exchange of business cards, or 名刺, often occurs immediately after saying はじめまして. This is not just a casual swap but a ritualized exchange where both hands are used to show respect to the person you just met.
Examples in context
- お会いできて光栄です。私は玉木です。I am honored to meet you. I am Tamaki.
- どうも、高橋です。よろしくお願いします。Hi, I am Takahashi. Nice to meet you.
- はじめまして。Hajimemashite.Nice to meet you.
- はじめまして、どうぞよろしく。Hajimemashite, douzo yoroshiku.Nice to meet you, pleased to meet you.
- はじめまして、田中です。Hajimemashite, Tanaka desu.Nice to meet you, I am Tanaka.
Example conversation
A new student is being introduced to a classmate in a classroom.
- 陽葵 Himariはじめまして、陽葵です。Hajimemashite, Himari desu.Nice to meet you, I am Himari.
- 大翔 Hirotoはじめまして、大翔です。よろしくね。Hajimemashite, Hiroto desu. Yoroshiku ne.Nice to meet you, I am Hiroto. Nice to meet you.
- 陽葵 Himariこちらこそ、よろしくお願いします。Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Nice to meet you too.
- 大翔 Hirotoこれからよろしくね。Kore kara yoroshiku ne.I look forward to getting to know you.
