In this workshop, you will practice the basics of a first business meeting in Japanese. You will learn how to introduce yourself with your name and company, exchange business cards politely, and respond to a colleague's introduction. The recordings provide model lines that you can listen to and repeat. You will play both roles in a guided exchange, choose the correct reply in a comprehension task, and then recall the lines with the correct roles. This practice helps you build confidence for real networking situations.
Introducing Yourself and Your Company
When you meet someone for the first time at work, start with a greeting and your name. The line «はじめまして。アレックスと申します。» means 'Nice to meet you. My name is Alex.' It uses a humble form to say your name, which is appropriate for business. Next, state where you are from. The line «株式会社エックスから参りました。» means 'I am from Company X.' This pattern lets you say your own company name. After that, close your introduction with a polite phrase. The line «どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。» means 'I look forward to working with you.' Together, these three lines form a complete self-introduction. In a real meeting, you would replace 'Alex' and 'Company X' with your own details, but for now, practice with the recorded lines exactly as they are. Listen to each recording, repeat it aloud, and pay attention to the polite endings.
Exchanging Business Cards Politely
After introductions, you may exchange business cards. To ask for a card, use the line «名刺を頂戴してもよろしいでしょうか。», which means 'May I have your business card?' This is a very polite request. When you offer your own card, you can use the dialogue line «こちら、私の名刺です。どうぞ。», which means 'Here is my business card. Please take it.' When you receive a card, respond with «頂戴いたします。こちら、私の連絡先です。», which means 'Thank you, I will take it. Here are my contact details.' Notice that «頂戴いたします。こちら、私の連絡先です。» combines accepting the card and offering your own contact information. For this exercise, focus on identifying who offers a card and who accepts it. Practice saying each line smoothly. You can also listen to the full dialogue in «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。» and «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。» to hear how these phrases fit together in a conversation.
Putting It Together in a Dialogue
The recordings «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。» and «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。» show a complete exchange between two people. In «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。», the speaker says 'Nice to meet you. I come from Company X. My name is Alex.' This combines the greeting, company, and name. In «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。», the other speaker replies with 'Nice to meet you. I am Tanaka from Company Y. I look forward to working with you.' This includes a different company and name, and ends with the polite closing. By listening to these two lines, you can hear the natural flow of a first meeting. Then, «こちら、私の名刺です。どうぞ。» and «頂戴いたします。こちら、私の連絡先です。» continue the exchange with business cards. Practice repeating each line after the recording. Try to match the politeness and rhythm. When you feel ready, move on to the exercises to test your understanding and recall.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
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.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.こちら、私の名刺です。どうぞ。
Here is my business card. Please take it.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.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Self-Introduction
You are at a business networking event. You meet a new colleague. You will play the role of the person introducing yourself. Use the recorded lines to guide you.
Your task: Listen to «はじめまして。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。», and «どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。» in order. Then, say each line aloud, one after another, to introduce yourself. Imagine you are Alex from Company X. After you finish, check your answer below.
Choose the Correct Reply
You have just introduced yourself using «はじめまして。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。», and «どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。». The other person says «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。». Now you need to respond appropriately. Your next aim is specifically to ask for their card, rather than offer your own.
Your task: Listen to «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。» again. Then, choose the line that asks for their card from the options below. Option A: «名刺を頂戴してもよろしいでしょうか。». Option B: «こちら、私の名刺です。どうぞ。». Option C: «頂戴いたします。こちら、私の連絡先です。». Say your chosen line aloud. Check your answer below.
Recall the Lines with Correct Roles
You will now recall the lines from memory. Imagine you are in a business meeting. You will play both roles: first the person who introduces themselves, then the person who responds.
Your task: Without looking at the recordings, say the line that means 'Nice to meet you. My name is Alex.' Then say the line that means 'I am from Company X.' Then say the line that means 'I look forward to working with you.' After that, switch roles and say the line that means 'Nice to meet you. I am Tanaka from Company Y. I look forward to working with you.' Check your answers below.
Common questions
Do I need to use the exact words from the recordings in a real conversation?
The recordings provide model lines that are appropriate for formal business situations. In a real conversation, you would replace 'Alex' and 'Company X' with your own name and company. The polite patterns, such as the humble forms and closing phrases, can be used as they are. Practice with the recorded lines first to build confidence, then adapt them to your own details.
What if I make a mistake during the exercises?
Making mistakes is a normal part of learning. If you say a line incorrectly, listen to the recording again and repeat it. Focus on the polite endings and the overall rhythm. You can also replay the recordings as many times as you need. The goal is to become comfortable with the phrases, not to be perfect on the first try.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: network at eventChecked 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