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 by your name. Depending on the context, you can focus on who you are or on the name you are called.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 私は……です literally translates to "As for me, (I) am …", while 名前は……です means "As for (my) name, (it) is …".
Which one should you use?
The form 私は……です focuses on the statement "I am …", whereas the form ……といいます focuses on the act of being called a certain name, translating to "… is called …".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For professional or highly formal settings, use the humble form ……と申します, which means "… is called (humble)". The phrase Boku no namae wa [Your Name] is an informal way to say "My name is [Your Name]".
How does it change in a sentence?
In both 私は and 名前は, the particle は acts as a topic marker, marking the subject or topic of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
watashi wa … desu
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often over-use the possessive "watashi no" (my) when using the phrase 名前は……です. In Japanese, the "my" is usually implied and should be omitted.
Did you know?
- In very formal settings, such as a job interview, using the humble ……と申します is considered a way of 'bowing with your words' even before you physically bow.
- When introduced to someone, the reply to 'my name is' often involves the phrase よろしくお願いします, which has no English equivalent but asks the other person to treat the speaker kindly.
- Historically, many Japanese people did not have fixed family names, meaning the concept of 'my name is' focused almost entirely on the individual's given 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.
