How to Say ‘It’s my first time.’ in Japanese
初めてです。
hajimete desu
[hah-jee-meh-teh dess]
💬 Usage Tip: [初めて] means "for the first time." [初めてです] is a great rescue phrase when you are unsure what to do next.
🇯🇵 In Japan: If you say this at a ward office, staff will often slow down, explain more clearly, or point to the right documents.
Phrase Breakdown
初めて
hajimete
[hah-jee-meh-teh]
for the first time
Used to say that something is one's first experience.
市役所は初めてです。
It is my first time at city hall.
です
desu
[dess]
is; am; polite sentence ending
A polite copula often used to make statements sound formal.
初めてです。
It is my first time.
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