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How to Say ‘Nice to meet you’ in Japanese

はじめまして

hajime mashi te

[hah-jee-meh mah-shee teh]

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is only for the very first meeting, usually followed by your name and then よろしくおねがいします, often with a small bow.

Phrase Breakdown

はじめ

hajime

[hah-jee-meh]

beginning / first time

Part of the first-meeting greeting.

Example

はじめまして、と言います。

I say, "Nice to meet you."

まし

mashi

[mah-shee]

polite verb ending part

Part of polite verb forms used in formal speech.

Example

丁寧に話しました。

I spoke politely.

て

[teh]

te-form ending

This て makes the phrase a gentle request or friendly instruction: please take care.

Example

てはお気をつけての終わりです。

て is the ending of お気をつけて.

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