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 oneself. While 私は……です focuses on the statement "I am …", the phrase 名前は……です is a common way to say "My name is …". In the latter, speakers often omit the word for "my" because the context makes it clear whose name is being discussed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 名前は……です literally translates to "As for (my) name, it is …".
Which one should you use?
The form 私は……です translates to "I am …", whereas ……といいます is more naturally translated as "… is called …" and serves as a common way to introduce oneself.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form ……と申します is the humble version of ……といいます and should be used in formal business settings or when speaking to superiors.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 私は……です, the particle は (wa) marks the topic "I" and です (desu) acts as the copula "to be".
How do you pronounce it?
watashi wa … desu
Did you know?
- In very formal introductions, a person might state their company name before their own name, as their organizational identity often takes precedence over their individual identity.
- In professional Japanese settings, you might introduce yourself using only your surname. Using your full name can sometimes feel overly formal or even slightly aggressive in certain social contexts.
- The word 私 (watashi) is used by both men and women in polite speech, but in very casual settings, men often switch to 'boku' or 'ore' to say 'I am …'.
Example sentences for Japanese are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my name is” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
