Introduce yourself and ask for help
Use a name, a polite introduction, and phrases that keep a conversation going.
What you’ll work on
- Give a simple introduction
- Ask for repetition politely
- Say when you do not understand
A short conversation
Google voice when available; device voice as a fallback. Kana readings help you read the written words; they do not show pitch accent.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- はじめまして。hajimemashitenice to meet youA set expression for a first meeting.
- あきakiAki (a name)
- です。desupolite statement endingAdds a polite style. English may use “is”, “am”, or “are”, or leave it unexpressed.
The subject is understood from context in Japanese. English adds “I”, “you”, or “we” as needed. Match meaningful word groups, not individual characters.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- サムsamuSam (a name)
- です。desupolite statement endingAdds a polite style. English may use “is”, “am”, or “are”, or leave it unexpressed.
- よろしくおねがいします。yoroshikuonegaishimasupleased to meet you / I look forward to our relationshipThis expression is translated according to the social situation, not word for word.
The subject is understood from context in Japanese. English adds “I”, “you”, or “we” as needed. Match meaningful word groups, not individual characters.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- にほんごnihongoJapanese language
- がgasubject / focus markerMarks the subject or the item described with expressions such as 好き and わかる.
- わかりますwakarimasuunderstand (polite)
- か。kaquestion markerMakes the sentence a question; English often changes its word order instead.
The subject is understood from context in Japanese. English adds “I”, “you”, or “we” as needed. Match meaningful word groups, not individual characters.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- すこしsukoshia little / a moment
- わかります。wakarimasuunderstand (polite)
- もういちどmouichidoonce more / again
- おねがいします。onegaishimasuplease (request)
The subject is understood from context in Japanese. English adds “I”, “you”, or “we” as needed. Match meaningful word groups, not individual characters.
Start with a name and です
A name followed by です is a polite way to identify yourself: サムです. You can omit “I” when everyone knows who you mean. はじめまして is used when meeting someone for the first time.
よろしくお願いします is a social phrase used in introductions and other situations. Its function here is to establish a friendly relationship; it is not a word-for-word equivalent of one fixed English sentence. Do not add さん to your own name.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- サムsamuSamForeign names are commonly written in katakana.
- です。desuam / is / are (polite)
“I” is understood from context here; there is no written Japanese word for it in this sentence.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- よろしくおねがいします。yoroshikuonegaishimasua polite expression of goodwill when meeting or working with someoneLearn the expression as a whole. Its natural English wording changes with the situation.
Ask for help as a complete phrase
すみません gets attention or apologizes in many everyday situations. わかりません means “I do not understand” here. Learn もう一度お願いします as a whole phrase for asking someone to repeat.
ゆっくりお願いします asks for slower speech in context. The written kana line preserves normal spellings, including particles; listen to the complete phrase as you practice.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- すみません。sumimasensorry / excuse me
- わかりません。wakarimasendo not understand (polite)
“I” is understood from context here; there is no written Japanese word for it in this sentence.
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- もういちどmouichidoonce moreもう means “again/more” here, and 一度 means “one time”.
- おねがいします。onegaishimasuplease (polite request)
How the words match
Tap a word in either language to see its partner. Some phrases work as a group; particles explain the grammar.
- ゆっくりyukkurislowly
- おねがいします。onegaishimasuplease (polite request)
Lesson vocabulary
Listen once, say it aloud, and try to recall the Japanese before looking.
| Japanese / reading | English | Listen |
|---|---|---|
| はじめまして はじめまして | nice to meet you (first meeting) | |
| 名前 なまえ | name | |
| すみません すみません | excuse me / sorry | |
| 少し すこし | a little | |
| もう一度 もういちど | once more | |
| ゆっくり ゆっくり | slowly |
Practice questions
Try every question, then check your answers. Punctuation and spacing do not affect your score. Use the displayed Japanese spelling or the complete kana reading; mixed spellings are accepted only when explicitly listed. Long vowels, small kana, and verb endings matter.
Showing an answer makes that question a practice item worth zero for this attempt. Retry with the answers hidden when you’re ready. If audio cannot play, use Show answer / text to practice by reading.
Independent practice
These are independent practice tasks. The site does not record your voice, save your writing, or grade open-ended answers. Ask a teacher or conversation partner for feedback when you can.
Speaking practice
Introduce yourself with an invented name. Ask your partner to repeat the name, then thank them.
Writing practice
Write a four-line first meeting that contains はじめまして and one request for help.
Review the lesson objectives
Select the tasks you can complete independently. This self-assessment does not change your quiz score.
Your self-check selections stay on this page only.Lesson completion
You can mark a lesson complete at any time. Questions you missed stay in My review until you answer them correctly or remove them.
Progress and review questions are saved in this browser only. Clearing browser data removes them.