はじめまして
hajimemashitepolite, first meeting
In hiragana, you greet a new person with はじめまして (hajimemashite), then add どうぞ よろしく (dōzo yoroshiku) or よろしく おねがいします (yoroshiku onegai shimasu).
Meaning: greeting when meeting someone (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| はじめまして | hajimemashite | polite, first meeting |
| どうぞ よろしく | dōzo yoroshiku | polite |
| よろしく おねがいします | yoroshiku onegai shimasu | formal |
The usual order is はじめまして, then your name, then どうぞ よろしく. This is standard in self introductions.
What does it mean word for word?
はじめまして (hajimemashite) comes from はじめて (hajimete), "for the first time". よろしく (yoroshiku) means roughly "please treat me well".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
よろしく おねがいします (yoroshiku onegai shimasu) is the most polite and is fine at work. どうぞ よろしく (dōzo yoroshiku) is polite but lighter. With young friends よろしくね (yoroshiku ne) is enough.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use はじめまして to someone you have met before. For a second meeting say おひさしぶりです (ohisashiburi desu) if it has been a while.
Did you know?
- The phrase よろしく おねがいします (yoroshiku onegai shimasu) does not have one English translation, because it covers "please take care of this" as well as "nice to meet you".
Examples in context
- はじめまして。たなかです。Hajimemashite. Tanaka desu.Nice to meet you. I am Tanaka.
- どうぞ よろしく おねがいします。Dōzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.Pleased to meet you.
- こちらこそ、よろしくね。Kochira koso, yoroshiku ne.Likewise.
Example conversation
Mr. Sakai meets his new coworker Ms. Fuji on her first day.
- Ms. Fujiはじめまして。ふじと もうします。Hajimemashite. Fuji to mōshimasu.Nice to meet you. My name is Fuji.
- Mr. Sakaiはじめまして。さかいです。どうぞ よろしく。Hajimemashite. Sakai desu. Dōzo yoroshiku.Nice to meet you. I am Sakai. Pleased to meet you.
- Ms. Fujiこちらこそ、よろしく おねがいします。Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegai shimasu.Likewise, I look forward to working with you.
