Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 私は……です | watashi wa … desu | |
| 名前は……です | namae wa … desu | |
| ……といいます | … to iimasu | |
| ……と申します | … to mōshimasu | formal |
These phrases are used to identify yourself.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 名前は……です literally means "As for (my) name, it is …".
Which one should you use?
The phrase 私は……です literally means "I am …" and is a standard way to introduce yourself, though in natural conversation the watashi wa part is often omitted once the context is established. For a very common and natural way to introduce yourself, use ……といいます, which means "… is called". For a humble version used in formal business settings or when speaking to superiors, use ……と申します, which means "… is called (humble)".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
……と申します is a formal, humble expression. Watashi no namae wa [Your Name] desu. is also a formal way to say "my name is". In contrast, Boku no namae wa [Your Name]. is an informal way to say "my name is" used by males.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 名前は……です, the word 名前 (namae) is the noun for "name".
How do you pronounce it?
watashi wa … desu
Did you know?
- Japanese names are typically stated in reverse order compared to English. The family name is given first and the given name second, which is why you will often see the surname first when someone says 名前は……です.
- When introducing yourself, it is customary to pair the phrase with a bow. The depth and duration of the bow communicate the level of respect and formality that the words ……と申します or ……です convey.
- In many Japanese business introductions, it is actually considered more polite to introduce yourself by your family name only, rather than using your full name.
Example sentences for Japanese are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my name is” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
