Lesson 3 自己紹介 (Jikoshoukai) Self-introduction

Jikoshoukai 自己紹介じこしょうかい is the Japanese word for "self-introduction." In theory, this is similar to how you would introduce yourself in your own culture. 

Say hello, say your name, tell a little about yourself. But in practice, there are cultural differences and set procedures you should stick to. You only get one first impression, so it's important to learn how to do it right.

Example:

はじめまして(Hajimemashite)。ザヒダです (Zahida desu)。マレーシアから きました (Mareeshia kara kimashita)。どうぞ よろしく おねがい します (Douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu)。

When meeting someone for the first time, the standard introduction has two parts.

First, each person says:

はじめまして。

Hajimemashite.

exp. "It's our first time meeting."

Next, one person gives their name, using one of two patterns.

[Name]です。	[Name] desu.	(I'm) [Name].
[Name]と もうします。	[Name] to moushimasu.	(I) call myself [Name].

"[Name] desu" is pattern to remember. It's short for:

わたしは [Name]です。

Watashi wa [Name] desu.

As for me, (I'm) [Name].

"[Name] to moushimasu" is much more polite as it uses a humble verb, and is typically used when introducing yourself to someone of a higher rank. 

After giving their name, the speaker ends with one of the following expressions.

どうぞ よろしく おねがいします。	Douzo yoroshiku o-negai shimasu.	exp. "Please treat me kindly."
よろしく おねがいします。	Yoroshiku o-negai shimasu.	exp. "Please treat me kindly."
どうぞ よろしく。	Douzo yoroshiku.	exp. "Please treat me kindly."

*The phrases:

どうぞ よろしく おねがい します。 (Douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu)

よろしく おねがい します。 (Yoroshiku onegai shimasu)

よろしく。 (Yoroshiku) Very casual, be careful not to use it to older/higher status than you or a person who you first met.

*The lower it goes the less formal it is.

Jikoshoukai Etiquette

1) First Name & Family Name
-Japanese people usually called each other by their family name. Except if the person ask you to call his/her own name.

2) Occupation

3)Don't talk about yourself too much

-Japanese people usually keep their strengths on the down low. So try not to show off too much. Revealing one or two of your strengths is fine, but listing all your amazing abilities will annoy others and make you seem over-confident.

4) Bowing VS Handshake

-In Japan, don't move in for the handshake, especially if your status is the same or lower than the person you're meeting. 

-The meaning of handshakes in Japan are for equals, so if you try to shake hands with the Emperor, it would be considered rude. Bow instead, and do so at the beginning and end of your jikoshoukai.

5) Holding your hands behind your back

-In Japan, holding your hands behind your back signals importance, so it may make you look full of yourself. 

-Put your hands in front of you (the left hand on top of the right), or put your hands beside you.

6) Don't bow while talking

-Do your bow after giving your self-introduction. Make sure to finish saying "yoroshiku onegaishimasu" and then bow.

Asking for Names

Asking for someone's name is a simple task.

おなまえは？

O-namae wa?

(What is your) name?

"Namae" means "name". "O-namae wa?" is short for the question:

おなまえは なんですか。

O-namae wa nan desu ka?

What is (your) name?

Name Suffixes

When actually using someone's name, you would generally include a name suffix as well. Name suffixes are another example of Japanese honorifics. No suffix at all is a very intimate way to address someone and is usually not appropriate. On the other hand, you should never use a suffix with your own name.

さん	san	General purpose, gender neutral, equivalent to Mr./Mrs./Ms.
くん	kun	Often with male students, and with male friends (children and young adults). Occasionally used for both males and females of lower rank.
ちゃん	chan	A diminutive, used with young children and with close female friends. Also sometimes used with pets and other cute animals.
さま	sama	Very similar to "san", but more polite. Used for those with a much higher rank.
せんせい	sensei	Literally "one who has gone before", used with teachers, professors, doctors, and masters of any trade. Often simply used in place of the person name when addressing them directly, or when it's obvious which teacher you're referring to.