How to Say Nice to Meet You in Japanese: 15+ Essential Phrases

The Short Answer

The most common way to say "nice to meet you" in Japanese is Hajimemashite (はじめまして, hah-jee-meh-mah-shteh). But unlike English, where "nice to meet you" is a standalone phrase, Japanese wraps the entire first meeting into a ritualized self-introduction sequence that communicates humility, respect, and social awareness.

Japanese is spoken by approximately 125 million people, and according to the Japan Foundation's 2021 survey, over 3.8 million people are actively studying the language worldwide. Among all the phrases learners encounter, the first-meeting introduction may be the single most culturally loaded. Getting it right signals that you understand Japanese social norms. Getting it wrong (or skipping parts of it) can create an awkward impression that lingers. Whether you're looking up "nice to meet you in japanese" for travel, study, or conversation, this guide covers everything you need.

"In Japanese, the greeting upon first meeting is not simply a pleasantry. It is a performative act that establishes the social framework for the entire future relationship between speakers."

(Anna Wierzbicka, Cross-Cultural Pragmatics, Mouton de Gruyter, 2003)

This guide covers 15+ essential phrases for meeting someone new in Japanese, organized by formality level: the standard introduction ritual, casual alternatives, ultra-formal keigo variations, business-specific expressions, and proper bowing and business card etiquette.

Quick Reference: Japanese First-Meeting Phrases at a Glance

The Full Introduction Ritual

Japanese first-meeting introductions follow a specific formula. Skipping any step feels incomplete to a Japanese listener, much like a handshake that is pulled away too early. The Agency for Cultural Affairs' 2023 survey found that 91% of Japanese adults consider proper self-introduction etiquette important in both professional and social settings.

はじめまして

Hajimemashite sets the entire tone. It comes from the verb hajimeru (始める, to begin), and it literally acknowledges that this meeting is happening "for the first time." This is more than a pleasantry; it is a formal declaration that you recognize the significance of meeting this person.

One critical rule: never use hajimemashite with someone you have already met. Even if you barely remember them, using it implies you have forgotten the previous encounter entirely, which is considered quite rude.

[名前]です

After hajimemashite, you state your name. In Japanese, the family name comes first: Yamada Taro, not Taro Yamada. The particle desu functions as a polite copula ("to be"). For extra formality, replace desu with to moushimasu (と申します), the humble form of "to be called."

よろしくお願いします

This is the phrase that has no English equivalent. Linguist Anna Wierzbicka has described it as one of the most culturally specific expressions in any language. Yoroshiku comes from yoroshii (good, favorable), and onegaishimasu means "I humbly request." Together, the phrase communicates: "I am placing myself in your care, and I trust you will treat me well."

The complete introduction ritual, spoken as one sequence, sounds like this: Hajimemashite. [Name] desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu. (How do you do. I am [Name]. Please treat me favorably.) Accompanied by a bow, this is the single most important social formula in Japanese.

Keigo Variations: Adjusting Formality

Japanese politeness operates on a spectrum. The Agency for Cultural Affairs classifies keigo (敬語, honorific language) into three levels: sonkeigo (respectful), kenjougo (humble), and teineigo (polite). First-meeting phrases shift accordingly.

よろしくお願いいたします

By replacing shimasu with its humble form itashimasu, you elevate the formality one level higher. This is the version you would use when meeting a company president, an important client, or anyone where maximum deference is appropriate. According to Sachiko Ide's research on Japanese politeness, choosing the correct formality level is not optional but "a matter of discernment," and speakers are expected to automatically select the right register.

[名前]と申します

Moushimasu is the humble form of iimasu (to say/to be called). Using it lowers yourself relative to the listener, which is the core mechanism of kenjougo (humble speech). In business settings, this is the expected form, and using the plain desu form with a client could signal carelessness.

Casual Alternatives

Among friends, classmates, and peers of similar age, the full introduction ritual is often shortened dramatically.

よろしく

Drop the onegaishimasu and you get the casual version that young Japanese speakers use when meeting peers. You might hear this at a university welcome party, a casual group gathering, or when being introduced through mutual friends. It keeps the spirit of the phrase while shedding the formality.

よろしくね

The particle ne adds warmth and a sense of shared feeling. It turns yoroshiku from a statement into something closer to "let's get along, okay?" This form is common among female speakers and in mixed casual groups.

どうぞよろしく

Douzo means "please" or "by all means," and adding it creates a polite-but-not-stiff middle ground. This works well at dinner parties, community events, or when meeting a friend's parents, situations that call for manners but not full business keigo.

Business and Professional Phrases

Japanese business introductions layer additional phrases on top of the standard formula. The Japan Foundation identifies proper business introductions as one of the top five skills needed for working in Japan.

お噂はかねがね

This phrase signals that you already know of the person by reputation. It is a powerful compliment in business contexts, implying that the person is well-known and respected. Pair it with oai dekite kouei desu (お会いできて光栄です, "It is an honor to meet you") for maximum impact.

名刺をどうぞ

The business card exchange (meishi koukan, 名刺交換) is one of the most ritualized aspects of Japanese professional life. The card is treated as an extension of the person themselves.

Responding When Someone Introduces Themselves

Knowing how to respond is equally important. Japanese responses to introductions follow clear patterns.

こちらこそ

Kochira koso is the reflexive "likewise" or "no, it is I who should say that." When someone finishes their introduction with yoroshiku onegaishimasu, the natural response is kochira koso, yoroshiku onegaishimasu, meaning "Likewise, please treat me favorably."

Response Patterns

Bowing Etiquette for First Meetings

Bowing (ojigi, お辞儀) is inseparable from Japanese introductions. The depth and duration of your bow communicates respect, humility, and social awareness as clearly as your words.

According to Ethnologue's 2024 data, Japanese remains one of the most context-dependent languages in the world, and physical gestures like bowing carry linguistic weight. In first meetings, your bow and your words should match in formality. A deep bow with casual yoroshiku or a head nod with yoroshiku onegai itashimasu would both feel incongruent.

Regional and Situational Variations

While the introduction ritual is remarkably consistent across Japan, some regional and situational differences exist.

おおきに、よろしゅう

The Kansai dialect (関西弁, Kansai-ben) spoken in Osaka, Kyoto, and surrounding areas transforms standard introductions. Ookini replaces the standard arigatou, and yoroshuu is the dialectal form of yoroshiku. While everyone in Kansai understands standard Japanese, locals often use dialect forms to express warmth and regional identity.

お見知りおきください

This phrase belongs to the highest register of keigo and is used in ceremonial contexts: formal speeches, introductions at award ceremonies, or when meeting someone of significantly higher social standing. You are unlikely to use it in daily life, but recognizing it marks you as having deep knowledge of Japanese formality.

Practice With Real Japanese Content

Reading about introduction phrases gives you the knowledge, but hearing them spoken in context, with the right intonation, timing, and accompanying body language, is what makes them natural. Japanese dramas and films are filled with introduction scenes that demonstrate every formality level, from casual university club meetings to tense boardroom introductions.

Wordy lets you watch Japanese movies and shows with interactive subtitles. Tap on hajimemashite or yoroshiku onegaishimasu in any scene to see the formality level, literal meaning, and cultural context explained in real time. Instead of memorizing phrases from a list, you absorb the full ritual from authentic conversations.

For more Japanese content, explore our blog for language guides including the best movies to learn Japanese. You can also visit our Japanese learning page to start practicing with real content today.