How to Say "Nice to Meet You" in Japanese

はじめまして

hajimemashite

はじめまして (hajimemashite) is the Japanese way to say "nice to meet you".

はじめまして is a polite greeting used exclusively at the very beginning of a first-time introduction. It is not used for subsequent meetings.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is derived from the verb hajimeru (to begin), literally implying that this is the beginning of a relationship or the first time meeting.

Adding です to the end of phrases enhances the level of politeness and formality.

hajimemashite

When someone says はじめまして to you, a common response is こちらこそ、はじめまして, which means "Nice to meet you, too."

While はじめまして is the first word spoken, the introduction usually ends with よろしくお願いします, which has no direct English translation but asks the other person to treat the speaker kindly in the future.
When saying はじめまして, it is customary to pair the words with a slight bow. A deep bow communicates much more respect during this first encounter than the words alone.
When responding with こちらこそ, the speaker is literally saying 'it is I who should say so', shifting the honor back to the other person.

はじめまして。
Nice to meet you.
This sentence shows a simple use of 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 sentence shows how to respond to a greeting with はじめまして.
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 sentence demonstrates the exchange between はじめまして and its response.
Tatoeba #10672154 by small_snow, translation #7496059 by Ricardo14
はじめまして、私は田中と申します。よろしくお願いいたします。
Nice to meet you, my name is Tanaka. I look forward to working with you.
お目にかかれて光栄です。私は大ファンです。
It's an honor to meet you. I am a huge fan.
2 more sentences on Tatoeba

At a networking event, Misaki and Hiroto introduce themselves.

美咲 Misaki

はじめまして、美咲です。
Hajimemashite, Misaki desu.
Nice to meet you, I am Misaki.
大翔 Hiroto

はじめまして、大翔です。よろしくお願いします。
Hajimemashite, Hiroto desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Nice to meet you, I am Hiroto. Pleased to meet you.
美咲 Misaki

大翔さんも、お仕事はエンジニアですか？
Hiroto-san mo, oshigoto wa enjinia desu ka?
Hiroto, are you also an engineer by profession?
大翔 Hiroto

はい、そうです。
Hai, sou desu.
Yes, that is correct.

Sources

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