私の名は吉良吉影
watashi no na wa kira yoshikage
私の名は吉良吉影 (watashi no na wa kira yoshikage) is how to say "my name is yoshikage kira" in Japanese.
This sentence is used to introduce oneself by stating one's name.
What does it mean word for word?
The sentence is composed of several parts: 私 (watashi) means "I" or "me", 名 (na) means "name" and 吉良吉影 (kira yoshikage) is the name itself.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The use of 名 (na) instead of the more common word for name, namae, gives this specific construction a more dramatic, formal or literary tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle は (wa) follows the noun phrase to mark it as the topic of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
watashi no na wa kira yoshikage
When do people say it?
In Japanese, the family name (Kira) is placed before the given name (Yoshikage).
Did you know?
- While the name 吉良 (Kira) is a real Japanese surname, the specific rhythmic cadence of this sentence has become a famous internet meme used to signal a character's descent into madness.
- The name 吉良 (Kira) is a real Japanese surname, but it is rarely used today because of its historical association with a disgraced official in the 47 Ronin story.
- In a real-life introduction, using 私の名は (watashi no na wa) would sound like a character in a historical epic or a villain in an anime rather than a person making friends.
Example conversation
Two people meet for the first time at a formal gathering.
- 陽葵 Himariはじめまして。お名前は何ですか？hajimemashite. o-namae wa nan desu ka?Nice to meet you. What is your name?
- 大翔 Hiroto私の名は吉良吉影です。watashi no na wa kira yoshikage desuMy name is Yoshikage Kira.
- 陽葵 Himari吉良さんですね。よろしくお願いします。kira-san desu ne. yoroshiku onegaishimasuMr. Kira, right? Pleased to meet you.
- 大翔 Hirotoこちらこそ、よろしくお願いします。kochira koso, yoroshiku onegaishimasuLikewise, pleased to meet you.
