How to Say ‘Nice to meet you.’ in Japanese
はじめまして。
hajime mashi te
[ha-JEE-meh mah-shee teh]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Say this only the very first time you meet someone, usually right before your name. Usually it comes with a small bow or nod.
Phrase Breakdown
はじめ
hajime
[ha-JEE-meh]
first time; beginning
Stem of hajimeru 'to begin'; used in the first-meeting greeting.
はじめまして、山田です。
Nice to meet you, I'm Yamada.
まし
mashi
[mah-shee]
polite verb ending part
Part of polite verb forms used in formal speech.
丁寧に話しまし た。
I spoke politely.
て
te
[teh]
and; -te form
A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.
仕事を探している人と話しました。
I spoke with a person who is looking for work.
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