Ekiben 駅弁
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People 交流 · Stop P01

自己紹介

Introducing yourself in Japanese

Evening at a yatai food stall by the river in Nakasu, Fukuoka. The person on the next stool turns to say hi. Say where you're from, give your name, and say why you're in Japan.

  • 中洲 · Set in Nakasu, Fukuoka
  • 6-minute lesson
  • Free in the app

Phrases

アメリカからきました

Amerika kara kimashita

I'm from the US.

Swap in your country: イギリス (UK), カナダ (Canada), オーストラリア (Australia).

Literally: I came from America.

Pattern: 〜から来ました

アメリカからAmerika kara · from America来ましたkimashita · came

Ema desu

I'm Emma.

Swap in your own name. No need for わたしは (I): Japanese usually leaves it out.

Pattern: 〜です

エマEma · Emmaですdesu · (I) am

にほんははじめてです

Nihon wa hajimete desu

It's my first time in Japan.

Expect a big smile and a question about what you've eaten so far.

日本はNihon wa · Japan (topic)初めてhajimete · first timeですdesu · it is

りょこうできました

ryokou de kimashita

I'm here on holiday.

Here on business? Say 仕事で来ました (shigoto de kimashita).

Literally: I came for travel.

旅行でryokou de · on a trip来ましたkimashita · came

よろしくおねがいします

yoroshiku onegaishimasu

Nice to meet you.

Say it right after your name, with a small nod.

Literally: Please treat me kindly.

よろしくyoroshiku · (treat me) wellお願いしますonegaishimasu · please

にほんごをべんきょうしています

nihongo o benkyou shite imasu

I'm learning Japanese.

A great conversation starter. People will often slow down to help you.

日本語をnihongo o · Japanese (object)勉強してbenkyou shite · studyingいますimasu · am

What you’ll hear

Staff talk fast. Here’s what they are likely to say at this stop, and a good answer.

doko kara kita n desu ka?

Where are you from?

The classic first question from friendly locals.

You

Amerika kara kimashita

I'm from the US.

nihongo, jouzu desu ne!

Your Japanese is really good!

You'll hear this after even one word. A modest reply is the classic answer.

You

ie ie, mada mada desu

Oh no, I've got a long way to go.

onamae wa?

What's your name?

A short, friendly way to ask your name.

You

Ema desu

I'm Emma.

Culture tip

Names and さん

Add さん (san) after other people's names, like Daiki-san, but never after your own. Many Japanese introduce themselves by their family name, so use the name they give you, plus さん.

“You add さん to other people's names, but never to your own.”

Practise scene

Friends at the Yatai

A yatai (open-air food stall) in Nakasu, Fukuoka. You squeeze onto a stool next to a friendly local.

Daiki · Local at the next stool

  1. konbanwa! doko kara kita n desu ka?

    Good evening! Where are you from?

  2. Your turn: Tell him you're from the US.

    Amerika kara kimashita

    I'm from the US.

  3. hee, Amerika! Nihon wa hajimete desu ka?

    Oh, America! Is this your first time in Japan?

  4. Your turn: It's your first trip to Japan. Tell him.

    hai, Nihon wa hajimete desu

    Yes, it's my first time in Japan.

  5. sou nan desu ne! boku wa Daiki desu. onamae wa?

    Oh, I see! I'm Daiki. What's your name?

  6. Your turn: Tell him your name (Emma) and that it's nice to meet him.

    Ema desu. yoroshiku onegaishimasu

    I'm Emma. Nice to meet you.

  7. Ema-san, yoroshiku! Fukuoka, tanoshinde ne.

    Nice to meet you, Emma! Enjoy Fukuoka.

Phrases from Ekiben content v3