Japanese phrases: Getting to know people
Japanese people call each other by family name + *さん* (san); never add *さん* to your own name.
Speed:
- お名前は何ですか。Onamae wa nan desu ka.What's your name? · More polite: (onamae o ukagatte mo yoroshii desu ka).
- スミスと申します。Sumisu to mōshimasu.My name is Smith. · Humble and polite, good for work. Simpler: (Sumisu desu).
- どちらから来ましたか。Dochira kara kimashita ka.Where are you from? · More polite: (goshusshin wa dochira desu ka).
- イギリスから来ました。Igirisu kara kimashita.I'm from the UK. · USA: (Amerika); Australia: (Ōsutoraria); Canada: (Kanada).
- お仕事は何ですか。Oshigoto wa nan desu ka.What do you do for a living? · More polite: (oshigoto wa nani o sarete imasu ka).
- 会社員です。Kaishain desu.I work for a company. · The usual answer for office workers. Student: (gakusei desu).
- 日本は初めてですか。Nihon wa hajimete desu ka.Is this your first time in Japan?
- 日本語を勉強しています。Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu.I'm learning Japanese.
- 趣味は何ですか。Shumi wa nan desu ka.What are your hobbies?
- どこに住んでいますか。Doko ni sunde imasu ka.Where do you live?
- 連絡先を交換しませんか。Renrakusaki o kōkan shimasen ka.Shall we swap contact details? · Most people in Japan use the messaging app LINE.
- お会いできてよかったです。Oai dekite yokatta desu.It was nice meeting you.