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Self-Introduction in Japanese: A Simple Beginner Script

A basic self-introduction in Japanese usually starts with はじめまして, then your name, country, role or hobby, and ends with よろしくお願いします. In Japanese this is often called 自己紹介 (jikoshoukai). This page gives you a clean beginner script, plus polite alternatives so you can introduce yourself naturally in class, at work, or in a first conversation.

Written by YoruLearn Team · Last reviewed:

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The Basic Self-Introduction Script

PurposeJapaneseMeaning
Open politelyはじめまして。Nice to meet you.
Say your nameマリアです。I am Maria.
Say where you are fromカナダから来ました。I came from Canada / I am from Canada.
Say your role日本語を勉強している学生です。I am a student studying Japanese.
Close politelyよろしくお願いします。Please treat me well / Nice to meet you.

Shortest safe version: はじめまして。マリアです。よろしくお願いします。

Copy-and-Edit Jikoshoukai Template

はじめまして。＿＿です。＿＿から来ました。いま ＿＿を しています。しゅみは ＿＿です。よろしくお願いします。

BlankWhat to put thereExample
NameYour nameマリア
Country / cityWhere you are fromカナダ / トロント
Current roleStudent, worker, beginner learner, etc.学生 / 会社員
HobbyA simple hobby or interest映画を見ること / 料理

Polite vs More Formal Introductions

SituationRecommended lineWhy
Class or casual first meetingマリアです。Simple and natural.
Professional first meetingマリアと申します。More formal than です.
Simple country lineカナダから来ました。Easy, direct, high-frequency pattern.
Interest line日本語を勉強しています。Good for learners and very safe.

For many beginners, the best approach is polite and simple rather than over-formal. If you need the greeting piece alone, use the Japanese greetings list.

Choose a Script for the Situation

SituationShort modelWhat to change
First day of classはじめまして。マリアです。カナダから来ました。よろしくお願いします。Replace the name and country; one hobby line is optional.
Work or formal meetingはじめまして。マリアと申します。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。と申します and お願いいたします add formality without making the script long.
Language-exchange profileマリアです。日本語を勉強しています。映画が好きです。よろしくお願いします。Add one genuine interest that gives the other person an easy reply.

Say the version aloud once, then remove anything you would not naturally say. A memorable self-introduction gives the listener one clear fact, one conversational hook, and a polite close.

5 Common Mistakes in Self-Introduction in Japanese

  1. Making the script too long. A short, clear self-introduction sounds better than a memorized speech.
  2. Skipping よろしくお願いします. It is a standard first-meeting closer.
  3. Using advanced grammar too early. Simple patterns are safer and more natural for beginners.
  4. Mixing casual and formal style randomly. Keep the whole introduction in one politeness level.
  5. Trying to translate English word for word. Japanese self-introductions work best as set patterns, not direct translations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you do a self-introduction in Japanese?

Start with はじめまして, say your name, add where you are from or what you do, and end with よろしくお願いします.

What is jikoshoukai in Japanese?

自己紹介, read じこしょうかい, means self-introduction.

How do I say my name in Japanese?

The safest beginner pattern is [name]です. A more formal version is [name]と申します.

How do I say I am from Canada in Japanese?

A simple pattern is カナダから来ました or カナダ出身です depending on the situation.

Should I use hajimemashite and yoroshiku onegaishimasu together?

Yes. That pair is one of the most common first-meeting patterns in Japanese.

Which page should I study with this one?

Use the pages for nice to meet you in Japanese, everyday greetings, and formal greetings to make your introduction more natural.

Related Study Pages

Japanese Greetings ListThe exact first-meeting phrases inside most introductions. Japanese Greetings ListEveryday greeting phrases that surround a self-introduction. Formal Japanese GreetingsPoliter versions for school, work, and formal settings. How Old Are You in Japanese?A useful follow-up question in beginner conversations.

Turn Intro Phrases into Real Recall

YoruLearn helps you remember greeting patterns, self-introduction lines, and polite sentence frames through spaced repetition and fill-in-the-blank practice.

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