皆さん、はじめまして
minasan, hajimemashite
The English phrase "nice to meet you all" is translated into Japanese as 皆さん、はじめまして (minasan, hajimemashite).
This phrase is a greeting used specifically during the very first encounter with a group of people. It is not used for subsequent meetings.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the address minasan (everyone) followed by the greeting hajimemashite (nice to meet you).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase structure consists of the address minasan followed by the greeting hajimemashite.
How do you pronounce it?
minasan, hajimemashite
When do people say it?
When meeting new people, it is common to use the polite phrase Yoroshiku onegai shimasu alongside your introduction.
Did you know?
- Even though hajimemashite means 'nice to meet you', it is essentially a declaration that this is the 'first time' you are meeting. It functions more as a temporal marker for a new encounter than a comment on your feelings about the meeting.
- If you are introduced to a group in a business setting, you will often hear hajimemashite followed by the speaker stating their company name before their own name.
- When saying minasan, hajimemashite, it is customary to perform a slight bow to the entire group to show respect to the collective rather than just individuals.
Examples in context
- 皆さん、はじめまして。Minasan, hajimemashite.Nice to meet you all.
- 皆さん、はじめまして。よろしくお願いします。Minasan, hajimemashite. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Nice to meet you all. Please be kind to me.
- あ、皆さん、はじめまして！A, minasan, hajimemashite!Oh, nice to meet you all!
Example conversation
Hiroto introduces himself to Misaki and her friends at a party.
- 大翔 Hiroto皆さん、はじめまして。大翔です。Minasan, hajimemashite. Hiroto desu.Nice to meet you all. I am Hiroto.
- 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今日はよろしくお願いします。Kyou wa yoroshiku onegaishimasu.I look forward to spending time with you today.
- 美咲 Misakiこちらこそ、よろしくお願いします。Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Likewise, nice to meet you.
