How to greet someone in Japanese and tell them your name

Have you ever wanted to be able to greet someone and tell them your name in Japanese? While you could point at yourself and say your name and then point at them to get the point across it won't win many style points. Here is a basic phrase that is very polite and is impressive at parties! (Disclaimer: if your friends don't think so then they aren't cool. I mean really, you learned a phrase in a new language and are showing it off to them. Any cool friends would be impressed!)

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A good sense of humor. Trying out saying things in a different language goes so much easier if you can laugh at yourself.
• A will to learn. If you aren't willing you never will.
• People to talk to! No, the voices in your head don't count. Although kudos to the person that has voices that speak in a language that isn't native to you! That takes skill.

1. When you first meet someone you would say "Hajimemashite. <insert your name here> desu. Dozo yoroshiku." What this means is "How do you do? I'm <yourname>. Pleased to meet you." This isn't a literal translation since the literal translation would sound funny to most English speakers.

2. Wondering how to pronounce that? Worry not! Here is an easy guide. I'll break down each word starting with Hajimemashite. It will be easiest to break it down into sections. So "ha ji me ma shi te." Ha is exactly like it looks. Like haha. But without the second ha. Ji sounds like you are saying jean but stopping halfway through. Me is pronounced like you are saying May. Ma is like mamma. The shi isn't fully pronounced, if you just do the sh sound you'll be all good. Te is pronounced like day with a t. Say it slow at first and then speed up once you are comfortable with the parts.

3. I'm not going to help you pronounce your own name. If you can't I would suggest you stop drinking. :) If you still can't then I would suggest professional help! But desu is easy so don't worry. You'll even be able to say it drunk. The u is silent so you are basically saying des. Like yes, but with a d.

4. Dozo yoroshiku is pretty much exactly like it looks. Except that this time the shi is fully pronounced like the word she.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice makes perfect! Practice each part slowly until you feel that you have it down and then try and put it all together.

[egodley]

on 9/28/2006 You can allways follow up with "ogenki desu ka?", which means "How are you?".