Lesson 01 — はじめまして (Greetings and Basic Self-Introduction)

Introduction

In this foundational conversation lesson based on Minna no Nihongo Lesson 1, we master the essential rituals of meeting someone for the first time in Japan. From the initial greeting 初めまして (Hajimemashite) to the polite closing どうぞよろしくお願いします (Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu), you will learn the exact phrasing, bowing etiquette (お辞儀 – Ojigi), and cultural nuances needed to make an outstanding first impression.

Learning Objectives

• Introduce yourself naturally in Japanese with your name and country of origin.
• Understand and pronounce key greetings: おはようございます, こんにちは, こんばんは.
• Master the standard closing formula: どうぞよろしくお願いします.
• Learn proper bowing posture and business card (名刺 – Meishi) etiquette.
• Answer 20 JLPT-style conversational and situational MCQs with English & Nepali guidance.

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Lesson Contents

Concept / Meaning

Situational Concept: When Japanese people meet for the first time, self-introduction (自己紹介 – Jikoshoukai) follows a strict, courteous protocol. First, you say 初めまして (literally ‘we are beginning our relationship’). Next, state your identity or company. Finally, you bow and conclude with どうぞよろしくおねがいします.

नेपाली व्याख्या:

जापानमा कसैसँग पहिलो पटक भेट्दा आत्म-परिचय (自己紹介) दिने निश्चित र आदरार्थी नियम हुन्छ। सुरुमा ‘はじめまして’ (नमस्ते, पहिलो पटक भेट भयो) भनिन्छ, त्यसपछि आफ्नो नाम र देश/पेशा बताएर अन्त्यमा शिर निहुराउँदै ‘どうぞよろしくおねがいします’ (हजुरसँग राम्रो सम्बन्ध रहोस् / सहयोगको अपेक्षा गर्दछु) भनिन्छ।

Japanese Form

A: 初めまして。[Name] です。[Country] から 来ました。どうぞ よろしく お願いします。

B: [Name] です。こちらこそ どうぞ よろしく お願いします。

English Meaning

A: Nice to meet you. I am [Name]. I came from [Country]. Pleased to meet you.

B: I am [Name]. Likewise, pleased to meet you.

Nepali Meaning

A: नमस्ते (पहिलो पटक भेट्दा)। म [नाम] हुँ। [देश] बाट आएको हुँ। कृपया मलाई सहयोग गर्नुहोला / राम्रो सम्बन्ध रहोस्।

B: म [नाम] हुँ। मलाई पनि हजुरसँग भेटेर खुशी लाग्यो / म पनि हजुरको सहयोगको अपेक्षा गर्दछु।

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Detailed Explanation

Basic Rule

1. Always start with 初めまして when meeting someone for the very first time.
2. State your name followed by です (or ともうします in formal business settings).
3. End with どうぞよろしくおねがいします while bowing at a 15-to-30 degree angle.
4. The respondent replies with こちらこそ (Kochira koso – ‘It is I who should say so’).

Formation

Usage

Used when entering a Japanese language school, joining a Japanese company, meeting new neighbors in an apartment building, or being introduced to mutual acquaintances.

Important Notes

• Never say さようなら (Sayounara) to daily colleagues or teachers; use 失礼します (Shitsurei shimasu) or また明日 (Mata ashita) instead.
• When bowing, keep your back straight and do not look the other person in the eyes during the bow.
• In Nepali culture, we put hands together for ‘Namaste’; in Japan, keep your arms at your side (men) or clasped gently in front (women) while bowing.

Exceptions

If introduced by a third party (e.g. Yamada introducing Miller to Sato), Yamada uses こちらは〜さんです (This is Mr./Ms. ~). Never attach 〜さん to your own name!

Common Mistakes

Saying ‘わたしはミラーさんです’ is a severe error. Using ‘さん’ on your own name is considered boastful or socially awkward.

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Examples

Example 1

• Japanese: 初めまして。マイク・ミラーです。アメリカから来ました。どうぞよろしく。
• Reading: はじめまして。マイク・ミラーです。アメリカからきました。どうぞよろしく。
• English: Nice to meet you. I am Mike Miller. I came from the USA. Pleased to meet you.
• Nepali: नमस्ते। म माइक मिलर हुँ। म अमेरिकाबाट आएको हुँ। हजुरको सहयोगको अपेक्षा गर्दछु।

Example 2

• Japanese: 佐藤けいこです。こちらこそどうぞよろしくお願いします。
• Reading: さとうけいこです。こちらこそどうぞよろしくおねがいします。
• English: I am Keiko Sato. Likewise, pleased to meet you.
• Nepali: म केइको सातो हुँ। म पनि हजुरको सहयोगको अपेक्षा गर्दछु।

Example 3

• Japanese: こちらはサントスさんです。ブラジルから来ました。
• Reading: こちらはサントスさんです。ブラジルからきました。
• English: This is Mr. Santos. He came from Brazil.
• Nepali: उहाँ सान्तोसजी हुनुहुन्छ। ब्राजिलबाट आउनुभएको हो।

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Vocabulary

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Conversation Practice

Situation

Mr. Yamada introduces Mr. Mike Miller (a newly arrived engineer from America) to his colleague Ms. Sato at the 3A Corporation office.

Dialogue

山田 (Yamada): 佐藤さん、おはようございます。 (Satou-san, ohayou gozaimasu.)

佐藤 (Sato): 山田さん、おはようございます。 (Yamada-san, ohayou gozaimasu.)

山田 (Yamada): 佐藤さん、こちらはマイク・ミラーさんです。 (Satou-san, kochira wa Maiku Miraa-san desu.)

ミラー (Miller): 初めまして。マイク・ミラーです。アメリカから来ました。どうぞよろしくお願いします。 (Hajimemashite. Maiku Miraa desu. Amerika kara kimashita. Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.)

佐藤 (Sato): 佐藤けいこです。こちらこそどうぞよろしくお願いします。 (Satou Keiko desu. Kochira koso douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.)

Translation

• English:

Yamada: Good morning, Ms. Sato.

Sato: Good morning, Mr. Yamada.

Yamada: Ms. Sato, this is Mr. Mike Miller.

Miller: Nice to meet you. I am Mike Miller. I came from America. Pleased to meet you.

Sato: I am Keiko Sato. Likewise, very pleased to meet you.

• Nepali:

यामादा: सातोजी, शुभ प्रभात।

सातो: यामादाजी, शुभ प्रभात।

यामादा: सातोजी, उहाँ माइक मिलरजी हुनुहुन्छ।

मिलर: नमस्ते (पहिलो भेट)। म माइक मिलर हुँ। अमेरिकाबाट आएको हुँ। हजुरसँग राम्रो सम्बन्ध रहोस् / सहयोगको अपेक्षा गर्दछु।

सातो: म केइको सातो हुँ। म पनि हजुरको सहयोगको अपेक्षा गर्दछु।

Speaking Practice

Practice roleplaying this dialogue with a partner. Stand up, bow slightly at ‘Hajimemashite’, make eye contact before bowing, and bow again gracefully at ‘Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu’.

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Reading Practice

Short Reading

はじめまして。わたしは ネパールから 来ました。名前は ラジです。カトマンズの 学生です。専門は コンピューターです。日本語を 勉強しています。どうぞ よろしく お願いします。

Vocabulary Help

名前 (なまえ – Name), 学生 (がくせい – Student), 専門 (せんもん – Major/Specialty), 勉強しています (べんきょうしています – Studying)

Reading Questions

1. ラジさんは どこから 来ましたか。(Where did Raj come from?)
2. ラジさんの 専門は何ですか。(What is Raj’s major?)
3. 最後のあいさつは何ですか。(What is the final greeting phrase?)

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Practice

Fill in the Blank

1. A: 初めまして。ミラーです。[ _____ ] から 来ました。(アメリカ / さん)
2. B: 佐藤です。[ _____ ] こそ よろしくお願いします。(こちら / そちら)
3. 山田: こちら [ _____ ] ミラーさんです。(は / を)

Choose the Correct Answer

1. Q: 初めまして、ワンです。

A: (a) こちらこそ、よろしく (b) どういたしまして (c) さようなら

1. Q: 朝、先生に会いました。何と言いますか。

A: (a) こんばんは (b) おはようございます (c) おやすみなさい

Sentence Formation

Form natural introductions:

1. (ラオ / インド / 学生)
2. (サントス / ブラジル / 会社員)

Word Arrangement

1. [ 来ました / ネパール / から / わたしは ]
2. [ お願いします / どうぞ / よろしく ]

Translation Practice

Translate into Japanese:

1. Nice to meet you. I am a student from Nepal. (पहिलो भेटमा नमस्ते। म नेपालको विद्यार्थी हुँ।)
2. Pleased to meet you too. (मलाई पनि हजुरसँग भेटेर खुशी लाग्यो।)

Speaking Practice

Say your own introduction out loud 5 times without looking at notes: [Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Nepal kara kimashita. [Name] desu. Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.]

Writing Practice

Write a 4-line self-introduction in Hiragana and Katakana in your notebook.

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Questions

Basic Questions

1. When is ‘Hajimemashite’ used?
2. What is the response to ‘Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu’?

Understanding Questions

Explain the difference between おはよう and おはようございます in terms of politeness.

Application Questions

How would you introduce a fellow student from Nepal to your Japanese teacher?

JLPT-style Questions

JLPT N5 Listening/Conversational response: Someone says ‘どうぞよろしくおねがいします’. What is the most natural reply?

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Meaning

Japanese Meaning

「初めまして」は初めて人と対面した時に交わす挨拶語。「どうぞよろしくお願いします」は相手との円滑な人間関係を願う最も重要で普遍的な表現である。

English Meaning

‘Hajimemashite’ originates from the verb ‘hajimeru’ (to begin), indicating the start of a relationship. ‘Douzo yoroshiku’ literally requests goodwill and favorable treatment.

Nepali Meaning

‘はじめまして’ भनेको कसैसँग जीवनमा पहिलो पटक भेट्दा सम्बन्धको सुरुवात भएको जनाउने अभिवादन हो। ‘どうぞよろしくお願いします’ भनेको ‘कृपया ममाथि सद्भाव राखिदिनुहोला / मलाई सहयोग गर्नुहोला’ भन्ने जापानी समाजको अत्यन्तै विनम्र र अनिवार्य वाक्य हो।

Important Vocabulary

初めまして, こちらこそ, どうぞ, よろしく, お願いします

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How to Learn

Step 1: Understand

Understand the cultural significance of the opening and closing phrases.

Step 2: Memorize

Memorize the sequence: Hajimemashite -> Name -> Origin/Status -> Douzo yoroshiku.

Step 3: Practice

Practice the rhythm and pitch accent: ‘Hajimemashite’ flows smoothly without pauses.

Step 4: Speak

Speak in front of a mirror while practicing a slight 15-degree bow.

Step 5: Read

Read short introduction profiles of characters in Japanese textbook dialogues.

Step 6: Review

Review your delivery daily until you can say it spontaneously without hesitation.

Memory Tips

Think of ‘Hajimemashite’ as ‘Beginning of friendship’ (Hajimeru = to start).

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Common Mistakes

Mistake 1

• Incorrect: わたしは ラジさん です。(Watashi wa Raj-san desu.)
• Correct Form: わたしは ラジ です。(Watashi wa Raj desu.)
• Why: Never attach honorific ‘〜さん’ (-san) to your own name! It is only used for others (आफ्नो नाममा ‘सान’ कहिल्यै लगाउनु हुँदैन).

Mistake 2

• Incorrect: Saying ‘さようなら’ (Sayounara) to your boss or teacher at the end of the day.
• Correct Form: 失礼します (Shitsurei shimasu) or お疲れ様でした (Otsukaresama deshita).
• Why: Sayounara carries a sense of finality or prolonged departure. For daily work/school, use ‘Shitsurei shimasu’.

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