Japanese for Professional Introductions: Introducing Yourself and Exchanging Contacts at Work
Learn to introduce yourself professionally in Japanese with your name and company, then exchange business cards and contact details using polite workplace formulas.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In Japanese business settings, a first meeting usually begins with a set introduction that includes your company and your name, often while you offer a business card. This lesson teaches that sequence: how to say who you are and where you work, how to receive a card politely, and how to exchange contact information. The language here is more formal than a casual social introduction, so you will practice the polite patterns used with new colleagues, clients, and people you meet at work events.
By the end, you can…
- introduce myself professionally with my name and company in Japanese.
- exchange business cards and contact information politely.
- use the correct level of politeness for a first business meeting.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
はじめまして。アレックスと申します。
Nice to meet you. My name is Alex.
Hajimemashite. Arekkusu to mōshimasu.
A formal self-introduction opener. と申します is the humble form of と言います and is standard when meeting someone at work for the first time; です is acceptable but less formal.
株式会社エックスから参りました。
I am from Company X. / I come from Company X.
Kabushiki gaisha Ekkusu kara mairimashita.
States your company as your origin. 参りました is the humble past form of 来ました, appropriate for business.
どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
I look forward to working with you.
Dōzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
A standard closing line after an introduction. いたします is more formal than します.
名刺を頂戴してもよろしいでしょうか。
May I have your business card?
Meishi o chōdai shite mo yoroshii deshō ka.
A polite way to ask for a card. 頂戴する is humble and suitable when receiving something from a superior or client. Note that 頂戴してもよろしいでしょうか is quite formal; お名刺を頂戴できますか is a common alternative.
こちら、私の連絡先です。
Here are my contact details.
Kochira, watashi no renrakusaki desu.
Use when handing over your card or a written note with your email and phone number.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern [company] から参りました、[name] と申します lets you state your company and name in one polite flow. For example: 株式会社エックスから参りました、アレックスと申します。 You can also reverse the order: アレックスと申します。株式会社エックスから参りました。 Both are acceptable; the first order is common when you are representing your company. Avoid the casual pattern used with friends, such as アレックスです。エックスから来ました。 That sounds too relaxed for a first business meeting.
When to use it
Use these forms when you meet a client, a new colleague from another department, or someone at a work event. For example, at a meeting: はじめまして。株式会社エックスから参りました、アレックスと申します。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 When you receive a card, read it briefly and say 頂戴いたします。 Then place it on the table or in a card holder. If you are the junior person, offer your card first with どうぞ. If you are the senior person, you may receive theirs first. The same polite patterns work in email: はじめまして。株式会社エックスのアレックスと申します。
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
はじめまして。株式会社エックスから参りました、アレックスと申します。
Nice to meet you. I come from Company X. My name is Alex.Hajimemashite. Kabushiki gaisha Ekkusu kara mairimashita, Arekkusu to mōshimasu.はじめまして。株式会社ワイの田中と申します。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
Nice to meet you. I am Tanaka from Company Y. I look forward to working with you.Hajimemashite. Kabushiki gaisha Wai no Tanaka to mōshimasu. Dōzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.こちら、私の名刺です。どうぞ。
Here is my business card. Please take it.Kochira, watashi no meishi desu. Dōzo.頂戴いたします。こちら、私の連絡先です。
Thank you, I will take it. Here are my contact details.Chōdai itashimasu. Kochira, watashi no renrakusaki desu.A little context goes a long way
Business cards, called 名刺, are treated as a representation of the person, so receive them with both hands, read them, and avoid writing on them or putting them in a pocket immediately. In a first business meeting, the polite です/ます style with humble forms like 参りました and 申します is expected. With close colleagues after some time, you may switch to a slightly less formal style, but keep the polite forms with clients and superiors.
One thing to watch for
Saying アレックスです。エックスから来ました。 in a first business meeting because it is simpler.
Try this instead: Use the formal pattern: アレックスと申します。株式会社エックスから参りました。 The plain です/来ました form is fine with friends, but in a business introduction it can sound too casual. If you are unsure, use と申します and 参りました。
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I come from Company X' politely in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
株式会社エックスから参りました。
This uses 参りました, the humble past form of 来ました, which is appropriate in business. 株式会社エックスから来ました is grammatically fine but less formal; use it only in casual contexts.
2What do you say when you receive a business card?
Show a sample answer
頂戴いたします。
This is a humble expression meaning 'I will receive it.' ありがとうございます is also possible, but 頂戴いたします is the standard polite phrase when receiving a card from a client or superior.
3How do you offer your contact details?
Show a sample answer
こちら、私の連絡先です。
This means 'Here are my contact details.' You can also say こちら、私の名刺です。 when handing over a business card. Both are appropriate; choose based on whether you are giving a card or a written note.
In a Japanese business introduction, lead with your company and name using と申します and から参りました, then close with どうぞよろしくお願いいたします. Receive cards with 頂戴いたします and offer yours with こちら、私の連絡先です。
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