はじめまして
hajimemashite
はじめまして (hajimemashite) is the Japanese way to say "nice to meet you".
This phrase is a polite greeting used when meeting someone for the first time. When introducing yourself, it is common to add desu at the end of your name.
How do you pronounce it?
hajimemashite
When do people say it?
It is customary in Japan to bow slightly when meeting someone new, especially in formal settings. When someone says はじめまして to you, you can respond with こちらこそ、はじめまして to say "it is I who should say that" or "likewise".
Did you know?
- The phrase はじめまして is derived from the verb はじめる, which means 'to begin'. It literally signals that this is the very first time a relationship is beginning between two people.
- While はじめまして is used for the first meeting, Japanese speakers often follow the introduction with よろしくお願いします, which asks the other person to treat them favorably in the future.
- Because it is so polite, using it with close friends or children can actually sound sarcastic or overly stiff and unnatural.
Examples in context
- はじめまして。Nice to meet you.This sentence shows a basic instance of the phrase はじめまして.Tatoeba #9699149 by Sim5634, translation #499617 by Shishir
- こちらこそ、はじめまして。Nice to meet you too.This example shows how to respond with はじめまして to say "nice to meet you too".Tatoeba #11021618 by small_snow, translation #3620826 by Ricardo14
- 「はじめまして」「こちらこそ、はじめまして」"Nice to meet you." "Nice to meet you, too."This example illustrates the exchange between the phrase はじめまして and its response.Tatoeba #10672154 by small_snow, translation #7496059 by Ricardo14
- はじめまして、私は友です。よろしくお願いします。Nice to meet you, I'm Tomo. It's a pleasure to meet you.
- はじめまして、私はAikoです。光栄です。Nice to meet you, I'm Aiko. It is an honor (to meet you).
- はじめまして、私はKeikoです。どうぞよろしくお願いします。Nice to meet you, I'm Keiko. Please treat me well.
- はじめまして、俺は太郎だよ。よろしくね！Nice to meet you, I'm Taro. (Casual)
- 私は太郎ですI am Taro.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are introduced for the first time at a party.
- 美咲 Misakiはじめまして。美咲です。Hajimemashite. Misaki desu.Nice to meet you. I'm Misaki.
- 蓮 Renはじめまして。蓮です。よろしくお願いします。Hajimemashite. Ren desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Nice to meet you. I'm Ren. Pleased to meet you.
- 美咲 Misakiこちらこそ、よろしくお願いします。Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Nice to meet you too.
- 蓮 Renどこから来たんですか？Doko kara kita n desu ka?Where are you from?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
