Part of Greeting People

Meeting People

This Unit focuses on the Japanese you need when meeting someone, greeting them for the first time, and starting a conversation naturally.

In real-life Japanese, first greetings change depending on the relationship, the setting, and how polite the moment needs to be. This Unit helps you build the expressions that make those first moments smoother and more natural.

Key concepts

First-time greetings are special

Japanese often uses specific expressions when meeting someone for the first time. A phrase that works well with a friend you already know may not fit the same situation with someone new.

Politeness matters early

When you are greeting a teacher, coworker, customer, or someone you have just met, a more polite tone usually sounds safer and more natural.

A greeting often feels more complete with a follow-up phrase

In Japanese, a greeting is often followed by a short self-introduction or a phrase like "yoroshiku onegaishimasu". That combination helps the interaction sound smoother and more complete.

The right phrase depends on the relationship

Some greetings are light and casual, while others are better for first meetings or formal situations. The goal is not to memorize one perfect phrase, but to notice which tone fits which moment.

Key vocabulary

Expression
Meaning and usage
はじめましてhajimemashite
A standard expression for meeting someone for the first time. It is one of the clearest signals that this is a first introduction.
こんにちはkonnichiwa
A general daytime greeting that works in many situations. It can sound neutral and useful, especially when you need a simple opening.
おはようございますohayou gozaimasu
A polite morning greeting often used in school, work, and more formal daily situations.
どうもdoumo
A light greeting that can sound brief, casual, or slightly informal depending on the context.
よろしくお願いしますyoroshiku onegaishimasu
Often used after introducing yourself. It helps the interaction sound polite, complete, and socially natural.
こちらこそkochira koso
A useful response when the other person says "yoroshiku onegaishimasu" first. It helps return the same polite feeling.
〜です~ desu
A basic pattern often used in self-introduction, such as giving your name, nationality, or role.
会えてうれしいですaete ureshii desu
A friendly phrase for saying you are happy to meet someone. It is not always necessary, but it can add warmth in the right setting.

Explore phrases related to this Unit

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A practical guide to the Japanese expressions used when meeting someone for the first time, including how はじめまして (hajimemashite) and よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) work in real conversation.

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A practical guide to the different ways Japanese greetings change by formality, generation, and speaking style, including casual and formal examples, youth expressions, and some gender-linked tendencies in real conversation.

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What does yoroshiku onegaishimasu mean in Japanese?

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