Self-introduction v.2.0

Candice Nina

When you look at tutorials for 自己紹介(じこしょうかい; self-introductions) in Japanese, you might see something like:


 はじめまして。私(わたし)の名前(なまえ)は花子(はなこ)です。

 Hajimemashite. Watashi no namae wa Hanako desu.

 Nice to meet you. My name is Hanako.


But here’s the thing: you will rarely hear Japanese speakers introduce themselves this way. (In my mind, this is the classic classroom-style introduction.) Instead, they will say something like:


 はじめまして。山田花子(やまだはなこ)です。

 Hajimemashite. Yamada Hanako desu.

 Nice to meet you. I’m Hanako Yamada.


Two things that are different:


1) The context (that you're introducing yourself) implies that you're talking about your name, so there's no need to say「私(わたし)の名前(なまえ)は」. So, people tend to drop that redundant phrase entirely.


2) Typically, you will use your full name (surname first, then given name).


In formal settings (I also use this when I meet someone for the first time):


 はじめまして。山田花子(やまだはなこ)と申(もう)します。

 Hajimemashite. Yamada Hanako to moushimasu.

 It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Hanako Yamada.


The です is replaced with 申(もう)します. To「申(もう)す」is the humble form of「言(い)う 」(to say). Did you know: 申す is where the「もしもし」(“Hello” on the phone) originated from!


If you are looking to practice and polish your 自己紹介(じこしょうかい), I can be your sounding board! I offer 25-min and 50-min free-form conversation lessons (with a 15-min trial as well).

Added to Saved

This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

Comments (0)

Login to Comment Log in »
Recommend ribbon

from:

in:

Categorie insegnate

Language Fluency

Inglese   Madrelingua
Giapponese   Madrelingua

Le rubriche di Candice Nina più lette

  • Inglese

    “bee“ と “wasp“ の違いと見分け方

    蜂はよく『bee』と英訳されますが、実際英語圏に行くと、皆さん『bee』と『wasp』(と『hornet』)を使い分けています。違いは何なのでしょうか?   Beeは花に集中していて、巣に攻撃を加え...

    Candice Nina

    Candice Nina

    0
    4059
    Apr 21, 2024
  • “Where are you from?” のちょっと難しいところ

    “Where are you from?” は鉄板とも言える質問ですが、いくつかの意味があり、どの意味で聞かれているかわからないことがよくあるトリッキーな質問です。 ①“Where are you...

    Candice Nina

    Candice Nina

    0
    862
    May 31, 2024
  • 元大学職員が紹介する大学に関する英単語①

    これから英語圏の大学に向かわれる学生の皆さんや、大学の職員の皆さんのお役に立てれば幸いです。 ・総合大学=University ・単科大学=College ・短期大学=Junior colle...

    Candice Nina

    Candice Nina

    0
    808
    Jun 7, 2024
  • フリートーク用のお題 “How’s 〇〇?” “How was 〇〇?”

    幅広く使える “How’s 〇〇?” 「〇〇はどう?」と “How was 〇〇?”「〇〇はどうだった?」を紹介します。便利なフリートークのトピックです! 海外から日本に旅行に訪れたリンさんには、...

    Candice Nina

    Candice Nina

    0
    724
    Jun 28, 2024
« Tutte le rubriche

Got a question? Click to Chat