How to Say ‘Nice to meet you.’ in Japanese
はじめまして。
はじめまして。
💬 Usage Tip: Set phrase for first meetings. It literally has the nuance of “This is the first time (we meet).” Pronunciation hint: (ha-ji-me-ma-shi-te).
🇯🇵 In Japan: Usually followed by [よろしくお願いします]. A small bow is common in Japan, especially in formal situations.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
はじめはじめ
[hajime]
beginning; start
The はじめ part of はじめまして. Historically relates to “for the first time,” so it fits when meeting someone for the first time.
はじめまして、田中です。
Nice to meet you, I’m Tanaka.
ましまし
[mashi]
(polite set phrase ending) as in “Nice to meet you”
まし is part of the polite expression 〜まして in はじめまして. You don’t usually use まし alone; it functions inside the greeting.
はじめまして、どうぞよろしくお願いします。
Nice to meet you. Please treat me well.
てて
[te]
(set phrase particle) as in はじめまして
て completes the greeting はじめまして. Like まし, it’s not typically used alone here; it’s part of the fixed phrase.
はじめまして、山田です。
Nice to meet you, I’m Yamada.
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