This workshop helps you speak a short, friendly Japanese self-introduction. You will hear and repeat model lines, then use them in three speaking tasks. The focus is on four building blocks: a first-meeting greeting, saying your name, saying where you are from, and mentioning one hobby. You can play both roles in the recorded exchange, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys to check yourself. Speak aloud, keep a steady rhythm, and pause briefly between sentences.
The four building blocks
Start with the first-meeting greeting. «はじめまして。» means 'Nice to meet you.' Use it when you meet someone for the first time. Next, say your name. «私はアレックスです。» means 'I'm Alex.' The pattern is 'Watashi wa' + name + 'desu.' In casual speech, you can drop 'Watashi wa' and just say the name plus 'desu.' Then say where you are from. «カナダから来ました。» means 'I'm from Canada.' The pattern is '[place] kara kimashita.' Finally, mention one hobby. «趣味はハイキングです。» means 'My hobby is hiking.' The pattern is 'Shumi wa' + hobby + 'desu.' You can also use the 'likes' pattern from the dialogue: '[hobby] ga suki desu,' which means 'I like [hobby].'
Putting the blocks together
In the recorded exchange, Speaker A begins with the greeting and name: «はじめまして。私はアレックスです。» means 'Nice to meet you. I'm Alex.' Speaker B replies with the same greeting, gives a name, and asks a question: «はじめまして。私はユキです。どこから来ましたか？» means 'Nice to meet you. I'm Yuki. Where are you from?' Speaker A answers with the place pattern and adds a hobby using 'likes': «カナダから来ました。ハイキングが好きです。» means 'I'm from Canada. I like hiking.' Speaker B responds warmly and shares the same hobby: «いいですね！私もハイキングが好きです。» means 'That's nice! I like hiking too.' Notice the order: greeting, name, place, hobby. Keep each part short and clear.
Speaking tips for a natural introduction
Speak in short phrases rather than one long sentence. Pause after the greeting, after your name, after your place, and after your hobby. Keep your voice friendly and your pace steady. If you make a mistake, finish the phrase, then repeat the whole line once. Practice both roles in the recorded exchange: first as the person who introduces themselves, then as the person who asks and responds. When you play the second role, you only need the lines you have practiced. Do not add new phrases you have not learned. Repeat each recorded line three times: once while listening, once while reading, and once from memory.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
はじめまして。
Nice to meet you.
Hajimemashite.
私はアレックスです。
I'm Alex.
Watashi wa Arekkusu desu.
カナダから来ました。
I'm from Canada.
Kanada kara kimashita.
趣味はハイキングです。
My hobby is hiking.
Shumi wa haikingu desu.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
はじめまして。私はアレックスです。
Nice to meet you. I'm Alex.はじめまして。私はユキです。どこから来ましたか？
Nice to meet you. I'm Yuki. Where are you from?カナダから来ました。ハイキングが好きです。
I'm from Canada. I like hiking.いいですね！私もハイキングが好きです。
That's nice! I like hiking too.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: introduce yourself step by step
You meet a new person at a community event. You will play the role of the person introducing themselves. Use only the lines you have practiced. Speak aloud.
Your task: Say the first-meeting greeting. Then say your name using the 'Watashi wa' + name + 'desu' pattern. Then say where you are from using '[place] kara kimashita.' Then mention one hobby using 'Shumi wa' + hobby + 'desu' or '[hobby] ga suki desu.' Use the recorded lines as your model: «はじめまして。», «私はアレックスです。», «カナダから来ました。», and «趣味はハイキングです。».
Reply comprehension: choose the correct response
You hear someone introduce themselves and ask you a question. Read the recorded line and choose the best reply from the options below. Then say your chosen reply aloud.
Your task: The speaker says: «はじめまして。私はユキです。どこから来ましたか？». Which reply fits best? Option A: «カナダから来ました。» plus a hobby line. Option B: «はじめまして。» only. Option C: «いいですね！私もハイキングが好きです。» only. Say your answer aloud, then say the full reply using the place pattern and one hobby line.
Recall with correct roles: play both speakers
You will replay the recorded exchange from memory. First play Speaker A, then play Speaker B. Use only the lines you have practiced. Speak aloud and keep a steady pace.
Your task: As Speaker A, say the greeting and name line, then the place and hobby line. As Speaker B, say the greeting, name, and question line, then the warm response line. Use these recorded lines as your model: «はじめまして。私はアレックスです。», «はじめまして。私はユキです。どこから来ましたか？», «カナダから来ました。ハイキングが好きです。», and «いいですね！私もハイキングが好きです。».
Common questions
Can I use these lines in a formal situation?
The greeting «はじめまして。» is suitable for both casual and formal situations. The name line «私はアレックスです。» uses 'desu,' which is polite. The place line «カナダから来ました。» and the hobby line «趣味はハイキングです。» are also polite enough for many everyday situations. For very formal settings, you may hear longer patterns, but these recorded lines are a safe starting point for beginners.
What if I do not have a hobby to mention?
You can still practice the pattern by using a hobby from the recordings, such as hiking in «趣味はハイキングです。» or «カナダから来ました。ハイキングが好きです。». The goal is to practice the sentence shape, not to share personal information. Once you are comfortable with the pattern, you can replace the hobby word with another one you know. Do not invent new words you have not learned.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: introduce yourself sociallyChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's Japanese into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr