Japanese · Greetings & Phrases
はじめまして
hajimemashite
Nice to meet you
Beginnerphrase
Definition
Said when meeting someone for the first time. It is always followed by どうぞよろしくお願いします (pleased to meet you).
Example
はじめまして、田中と申します。どうぞよろしくお願いします。
Nice to meet you, I am called Tanaka. Please be good to me.
Etymology
'はじめまして' (hajimemashite) is a set phrase expressing 'for the first time,' emphasizing the novelty of meetings in Japanese culture.
How & Where It’s Used
'はじめまして' is commonly used when meeting someone for the first time in both formal and informal contexts, typically in spoken conversation.