To say my name is in Japanese, put your name before です (desu): エマです (Ema desu), "I'm Emma". The longer 私の名前はエマです (watashi no namae wa Ema desu) is correct but sounds like a textbook. In formal situations, use エマと申します (Ema to mōshimasu). Foreign names are written in katakana.
- Everyday
- [name]です ([name] desu)
- Formal
- [name]と申します ([name] to mōshimasu)
- Textbook
- 私の名前は[name]です
- Asking
- お名前は？ (onamae wa?)
- Level
- A1
Which way of giving your name sounds natural?
Most Japanese adults introduce themselves with just the name and です. Context already makes it clear who is speaking, so 私は (watashi wa) and 名前 (namae) are usually dropped.
| Japanese | Romaji | Register | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| エマです。 | Ema desu. | Polite, everyday | Most introductions |
| エマと申します。 | Ema to mōshimasu. | Formal, humble | Job interviews, business, phone calls |
| エマと言います。 | Ema to iimasu. | Polite, neutral | Classes, events, meeting a friend's family |
| エマっていいます。 | Ema tte iimasu. | Casual | Meeting people your own age |
| 私はエマです。 | Watashi wa Ema desu. | Neutral | When it matters which person is you |
| 私の名前はエマです。 | Watashi no namae wa Ema desu. | Textbook | Correct, but rare in speech |
Japanese names run family name first: 山田花子 is Hanako Yamada. At work and with new acquaintances, people introduce themselves by family name alone.
How do Japanese characters say who they are?
Two lines from free chapters in the Contos library show the two ends of the scale: a bare name plus です, and the humble と申します.
「久しぶりです、 みなみさん。 黒沢です。」"Hisashiburi desu, Minami-san. Kurosawa desu."
私、 開発 業者 の 鈴木 と 申します。Watashi, kaihatsu gyōsha no Suzuki to mōshimasu.
イギリスから来たエマです。
Igirisu kara kita Ema desu.
I'm Emma, from the UK.
Literally "I'm the Emma who came from Britain".
山田花子と申します。
Yamada Hanako to mōshimasu.
My name is Hanako Yamada.
Formal, family name first.
How do you ask someone's name in Japanese?
Avoid the textbook あなたの名前は何ですか: あなた (anata, you) sounds distant or even rude when said to someone's face. Leave it out and use the polite お名前.
お名前は？
Onamae wa?
And your name is…?
Polite and friendly, after giving your own.
お名前を伺ってもよろしいですか。
Onamae o ukagatte mo yoroshii desu ka.
May I ask your name?
Very polite: customers, business contacts.
名前、なんていうの？
Namae, nan te iu no?
What's your name?
Casual, to a child or someone your age.
田中さんですね。
Tanaka-san desu ne.
Ms Tanaka, is that right?
Repeating the name back to confirm it.
Where do learners slip up when giving their name?
- Adding さん to your own name. エマさんです sounds like you are talking about yourself as an honoured guest. さん is only for other people.
- Starting every sentence with 私は. Once people know you are talking about yourself, drop it.
- Giving a first name only at work. Colleagues and clients expect the family name.
- Spelling a foreign name in kanji or hiragana. Non-Japanese names go in katakana: James becomes ジェームズ.
Your name is usually followed straight away by よろしくお願いします; see how to say nice to meet you in Japanese.
Start reading Japanese at A1 for free, and meet characters who introduce themselves the natural way.
Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
How do you write my name in Japanese?
Foreign names are written in katakana, matched to Japanese sounds: Emma is エマ, Tom is トム, Sarah is サラ. Japanese names are written in kanji, which the parents choose for meaning as well as sound.
What does to mōshimasu mean?
申します is the humble form of 言います, "to be called". [name]と申します lowers yourself politely, so it suits interviews, business and formal phone calls. Never use it about someone else.
Do I need to say watashi wa?
Usually not. Japanese drops subjects that are clear from context, and in an introduction it is obvious who you mean. Use 私は when contrasting yourself with others.
Should I give my family name or first name?
At work, at school and with new adult acquaintances, your family name. With friends your age, a first name is fine. Foreigners are often called by first name plus さん.