How to Say ‘Nice to meet you.’ in Japanese
はじめまして。
hajime mashi te
[hah-jee-meh mah-shee teh]
💬 Usage Tip: [はじめまして] is used when meeting someone for the first time. Think of it as "This is our first meeting."
🇯🇵 In Japan: This phrase is almost a ritual opener in introductions. Pair it with a little bow or nod and you instantly look socially smooth.
Phrase Breakdown
はじめ
hajime
[hah-jee-meh]
beginning / first time
Part of the greeting "はじめまして," used when meeting someone for the first time.
はじめ は 大切です。
The beginning is important.
まし
mashi
[mah-shee]
polite continuation part
Part of the fixed polite expression "はじめまして."
まし て、あいさつします。
I greet politely.
て
te
[teh]
and / te-form ending
A kana often used as a grammatical ending; here it completes the fixed phrase.
て と 言います。
I say "te."
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