How to Say ‘It's my first time.’ in Japanese
僕は初めてです。
boku wa hajimete desu
[boku wah hajimete dess]
💬 Usage Tip: は here is said (wa), and it gives a contrast: "as for me, it's my first time". 初めて (hajimete) also appears in 初めまして "nice to meet you".
🇯🇵 In Japan: 僕 (boku) is a soft, friendly "I" used by men. It sounds gentler and more approachable than 俺 (ore), which suits meeting someone new.
Phrase Breakdown
僕
boku
[boku]
I
The speaker or writer (equivalent to 'I').
僕は学生です。
I am a student.
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker; as for
Marks 'today' as the topic. Written は but pronounced 'wa.'
本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。
Thank you for giving me your time today.
初めて
hajimete
[hajimete]
for the first time
Doing something not done before.
彼に初めて会った。
I met him for the first time.
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
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