politeLesson 1

Introducing Yourself at a Networking Event — Senior colleague

Situation

Where
A networking event
Who
You and a senior colleague
Goal
To introduce yourself and exchange contacts.

Conversation

Show

A

Nice to meet you. I'm Tanaka, an engineer.

B

Nice to meet you. I'm Sato, a designer. Pleased to meet you.

A

What kind of work do you do?

B

I work on app UI. If you'd like, shall we exchange contacts?

A

Definitely. Here's my business card.

Vocabulary (10)

hajimemashite

nice to meet you

First-meeting greeting.

tomoushimasu

my name is … (humble)

Humble self-introduction.

sareru

to do (honorific)

お仕事をされている = "the work you do."

renrakusaki

contact details

連絡先を交換する = "to exchange contacts."

koukan

exchange

名刺交換 = "exchanging business cards."

meishi

business card

Central to Japanese networking.

otsukaresamadesu

thank you for your work

The all-purpose workplace greeting, used like hello and goodbye between coworkers.

yoroshikuonegaishimasu

thank you in advance

Closes most requests and emails; sets a cooperative tone.

kakunin

confirmation / check

Daily-use word: ご確認お願いします means "please check."

shouchishimashita

understood (polite)

Politer than 分かりました; use with managers and clients.

Grammar

Name + と申します

Humble self-introduction.

Verb passive/honorific + ている

Honorific continuous about the other: されているのですか.

Verb stem + ませんか

Polite invitation: 交換しませんか.

Cultural Notes

Workplace etiquette

Exchange business cards (名刺) with both hands, card facing the recipient. Receive theirs with both hands and look at it.

Common mistake

Don't shove a received card in your pocket immediately — hold it, comment on it, then place it carefully.

Formality level

Polite. はじめまして + 申します is the standard, safe register for first meetings.

Quiz

What does "はじめまして" mean?

What does "〜と申します" mean?

What does "される" mean?

What does "連絡先" mean?

What does "交換" mean?

What does "名刺" mean?

How is the pattern "〜と申します" used?

How is the pattern "〜されている" used?

How is the pattern "〜ませんか" used?

What is the goal of this conversation?

Flashcards

Turn this lesson into flashcards

Save all 10 vocabulary items to your deck and review them later with spaced repetition.