初めてです
hajimete desu
The phrase "this is my first time" in Japanese is 初めてです (hajimete desu).
You use this phrase to express that you have never performed a specific activity or visited a particular place before. Because the subject is often omitted in Japanese, 初めてです can translate to either "it is my first time" or "it is the first time" depending on the context.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 初めて (hajimete) literally means "the first time" or "for the first time."
Which one should you use?
While English speakers typically use possessive pronouns like "my" or articles like "the" (e.g., "my first time"), the Japanese phrase focuses on the state of it being the first time.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding です (desu) to 初めて (hajimete) completes the thought and turns it into a polite sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
hajimete desu
Did you know?
- In romantic or intimate contexts, 初めて (hajimete) is frequently used as a euphemism for the loss of virginity.
- In Japanese, the concept of 'first time' is closely linked to the word 初 (hatsu), which appears in the word 初詣 (hatsumōde), the traditional first shrine visit of the New Year.
- The word 初めて (hajimete) is an adverbial form of the verb 始める (hajimeru), which means 'to start'.
Examples in context
- 「オーストラリアは初めてですか？」「はい、初めて来ました」"Is this your first time in Australia?" "Yes, this is my first time here."This example shows how to use the phrase to confirm a first-time visit to a country.Tatoeba #3326592 by tommy_san, translation #3353763 by alester237
- このお店初めてだよ！This is my first time at this store!
- 一人旅は初めてです。Hitoritabi wa hajimete desu.This is my first time traveling alone.
- このレストランは初めてです。Kono resutoran wa hajimete desu.This is my first time at this restaurant.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are at a sushi restaurant.
- 健太 Kentaこの店、美味しいね。Kono mise, oishii ne.This shop is delicious, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、私はここ、初めてです。Hai, watashi wa koko, hajimete desu.Yes, it's my first time here.
- 健太 Kentaそうなんだ、また来よう。Sou nanda, mata koyou.I see, let's come again.
- 美咲 Misakiぜひ、お願いします。Zehi, onegaishimasu.Please do.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
