What's the difference between 〜と申します and 〜です for my name?

〜と申します is the humble, formal way to give your name (used in business or with someone senior), while 〜です is standard polite form for everyday introductions. Both are correct; choose based on how formal the setting is.

Do I bow when introducing myself in Japanese?

Yes. A bow accompanies a Japanese introduction; handshakes are not the default. The depth and length scale with formality — a small nod among peers, a deeper bow in business.

How can I practice a Japanese self-introduction out loud?

Practice it as a two-way exchange, including the questions you'll be asked back. Renza lets you rehearse 自己紹介 with an AI partner that holds the right register and gives feedback after.

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Japanese·Introducing yourself

How to Introduce Yourself in Japanese: 自己紹介 Phrases & Politeness

A Japanese self-introduction (自己紹介, jikoshōkai) follows a reliable formula, which is great news: get the bookends right and the middle is easy to fill in. Here are the phrases, the politeness level to use, and the cultural moves that make a good first impression.

Polite form, and 申します when it's formal

For most introductions you'll use 丁寧語 (です/ます). In business or formal settings, swap です for the humble 〜と申します (to mōshimasu) when giving your name, and close with お願いいたします. Plain form is only for friends your own age.

The opening formula

はじめまして。

Hajimemashite.

Nice to meet you. (lit. 'for the first time')

田中と申します。

Tanaka to mōshimasu.

My name is Tanaka. (humble/formal)

Casually: 田中です (Tanaka desu).

どうぞよろしくお願いします。

Dōzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu.

Pleased to meet you. (set closing phrase)

A little about you

アメリカから来ました。

Amerika kara kimashita.

I'm from America.

Swap アメリカ for your country.

日本語を勉強しています。

Nihongo o benkyō shite imasu.

I'm studying Japanese.

趣味は料理です。

Shumi wa ryōri desu.

My hobby is cooking.

まだ上手じゃありません。

Mada jōzu ja arimasen.

I'm not good yet.

A modest, very natural thing to add.

In a formal or business setting

本日はよろしくお願いいたします。

Honjitsu wa yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.

Thank you for having me today. (very polite)

お会いできて光栄です。

Oai dekite kōei desu.

It's an honor to meet you.

失礼します。

Shitsurei shimasu.

Excuse me. (entering/leaving a room)

Tips to sound natural

はじめまして opens and よろしくお願いします closes — treat them as fixed bookends around whatever you say in the middle.
申します is the humble form of 言います ("to say"); use it for your name in formal or business intros.
Pair your greeting with a bow, not a handshake — a small nod is fine in casual settings.
Light self-deprecation (まだ上手じゃありません) is expected and reads as polite, not as a lack of confidence.

Now practice it out loud

Reading phrases isn't speaking them. Rehearse this exact scene with an AI partner in Japanese, at your level — and get feedback after.

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