How to Say 'This Is My Friend Sam' in Japanese
Learn to introduce another person in Japanese with kono hito wa watashi no tomodachi desu, including how it differs from introducing yourself and how to add a detail about your friend.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
Introducing yourself in Japanese is one skill; introducing someone else is a different one. When you present another person, you name them, mark them as the topic, and state your relationship to them. In this lesson you will learn to say 'This is my friend Sam' using kono hito wa watashi no tomodachi desu, add one detail such as where Sam is from, and ask a simple follow-up. You will also see why the topic marker wa and the possessive no matter, and why you should not simply reuse the self-introduction pattern hajimemashite watashi wa Sam desu for someone else.
By the end, you can…
- introduce a friend by name using kono hito wa ... desu
- state my relationship to someone using watashi no tomodachi
- add one simple detail about the person, such as their country or job
- ask a polite follow-up question about the person I just introduced
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
こちらは私の友達のサムです。
This is my friend Sam.
ko-chi-ra wa wa-ta-shi no to-mo-da-chi no Sa-mu de-su
The most natural, polite introduction when presenting someone in person. Kochira is a polite 'this person / this side' and works in both casual and formal settings.
この人は私の友達のサムです。
This person is my friend Sam.
ko-no hi-to wa wa-ta-shi no to-mo-da-chi no Sa-mu de-su
Kono hito literally means 'this person.' It is clear and common, but slightly more direct than kochira; fine among friends and classmates.
サムはアメリカから来ました。
Sam came from America.
Sa-mu wa A-me-ri-ka ka-ra ki-ma-shi-ta
A simple detail sentence. Use kara with a place plus kimashita to say where someone came from. Replace Amerika with the actual country.
サムは学生です。
Sam is a student.
Sa-mu wa ga-ku-se-i de-su
A short detail about Sam's role. Note that Japanese does not need 'a' or 'an'; gakusei alone covers 'a student.'
サムは日本語を勉強しています。
Sam is studying Japanese.
Sa-mu wa ni-hon-go o ben-kyō shi-te i-ma-su
Use this to add what your friend does. The o marks the object, and shite imasu shows an ongoing action.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is [person] wa [watashi no + relationship] desu. Wa marks the person as the topic, no shows possession or connection, and desu makes the sentence polite. For example, こちらは私の友達のサムです (kochira wa watashi no tomodachi no Samu desu) means 'This is my friend Sam.' If you want to say 'my colleague,' replace tomodachi with dōryō: こちらは私の同僚のサムです. You can also drop the name when it is already clear: こちらは私の友達です (kochira wa watashi no tomodachi desu) means 'This is my friend.'
When to use it
Use kochira wa ... when you are physically with the person or pointing them out politely. Use kono hito wa ... when you want to be very explicit, though it can sound a little blunt in formal situations. Do not use hajimemashite for someone else; that greeting is for introducing yourself. If you are introducing Sam to a teacher or a new colleague, kochira is the safer choice: 先生、こちらは私の友達のサムです (sensei, kochira wa watashi no tomodachi no Samu desu). After the introduction, you can add one detail, such as サムは学生です (Samu wa gakusei desu).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
こちらは私の友達のサムです。
This is my friend Sam.ko-chi-ra wa wa-ta-shi no to-mo-da-chi no Sa-mu de-suはじめまして。サムさんですね。
Nice to meet you. You're Sam, right?ha-ji-me-ma-shi-te. Sa-mu-san de-su neはい。サムはアメリカから来ました。
Yes. Sam came from America.ha-i. Sa-mu wa A-me-ri-ka ka-ra ki-ma-shi-taそうですか。サムさんは学生ですか。
I see. Is Sam a student?sō de-su ka. Sa-mu-san wa ga-ku-se-i de-su kaA little context goes a long way
Japanese introductions often include the person's relationship to you and a short detail, but avoid oversharing private information. Adding san to the friend's name is normal when speaking to someone else: Samu-san. When you introduce a close friend to a superior, keep the wording polite and let the other person ask questions rather than listing many personal facts at once.
One thing to watch for
Saying はじめまして、私はサムです (hajimemashite, watashi wa Samu desu) when introducing your friend Sam.
Try this instead: That sentence means 'Nice to meet you, I am Sam,' so it introduces you, not your friend. To introduce Sam, say こちらは私の友達のサムです (kochira wa watashi no tomodachi no Samu desu). The topic is kochira, and watashi no tomodachi shows your connection to Sam.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'This is my friend Sam' politely in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
こちらは私の友達のサムです。 (kochira wa watashi no tomodachi no Samu desu)
Kochira is a polite way to present someone, wa marks the topic, watashi no tomodachi means 'my friend,' and desu makes it polite. この人は私の友達のサムです is also possible but slightly more direct.
2Add one detail: 'Sam is a student.'
Show a sample answer
サムは学生です。 (Samu wa gakusei desu)
Samu is the topic, and gakusei desu means 'is a student.' Japanese does not need an article like 'a,' so gakusei alone is correct.
3What is wrong with using はじめまして、私はサムです to introduce your friend Sam?
Show a sample answer
It introduces the speaker, not Sam. Use こちらは私の友達のサムです instead.
Hajimemashite is a self-introduction greeting, and watashi wa Samu desu means 'I am Sam.' To introduce someone else, make that person the topic with kochira wa or kono hito wa.
To introduce someone else, use kochira wa [watashi no relationship] no [name] desu, then add one simple detail with [name] wa ... desu. Keep hajimemashite for yourself, not for your friend.
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