Japanese for Daily Life in Japan｜Beginner Practical Course

UNIT 2
Self-Introduction & Personal Information

Lesson 1: Saying Your Name
なまえのいいかた — How to Say Your Name

⏱️ About 25 minutes ／ 📊 Level: Beginner (N5) ／ 🗣️ Speaking + Reading

Before You Start

Saying your name is the very first step in every Japanese conversation. In this lesson, you’ll learn three ways to say your name — from simple to polite — and how to ask someone else’s name.

What you’ll learn:

Say your name — わたしは〇〇です
Say your name naturally — 〇〇です
Say your name politely — 〇〇と申します
Ask someone’s name — お名前は何ですか
Ask for a full name — フルネームでお願いします
Choose polite or casual expressions by situation

1. Key Phrases ／きほんのフレーズ

わたしは〇〇です。

Watashi wa 〇〇 desu.

I am 〇〇. (clear / beginner-friendly)

〇〇です。

〇〇 desu.

I am 〇〇. (natural / everyday)

〇〇と申します。

〇〇 to mooshimasu.

My name is 〇〇. (polite / formal)

お名前は何ですか。

Onamae wa nan desu ka.

What is your name?

お名前を教えてください。

Onamae o oshiete kudasai.

Please tell me your name.

名前を書いてください。

Namae o kaite kudasai.

Please write your name.

フルネームでお願いします。

Furu neemu de onegaishimasu.

Full name, please.

2. Three Ways to Say Your Name ／なまえの3つのいいかた

There are three common ways to say your name in Japanese. Each one fits a different situation.

① Beginner / Clear

わたしはマリアです。

I am Maria.

② Natural / Everyday

マリアです。

I am Maria.

③ Polite / Formal

マリア・サントスと申します。

My name is Maria Santos.

💡 For beginners, わたしは〇〇です and 〇〇です are both good. Use 〇〇と申します in formal or business situations.

3. Phrase Notes ／ポイント

① わたしは〇〇です

The most basic name pattern. わたしは = “I am,” and です = “am/is.” In natural conversation, Japanese people often drop わたしは and just say 〇〇です.

② 〇〇と申します

と申します is the humble/polite form of “my name is.” Use it when you meet someone important for the first time, at a job interview, or in business situations. For daily life, 〇〇です is fine.

③ お名前は何ですか

The polite way to ask someone’s name. The prefix お before 名前 adds politeness. You will hear this at hospitals, city halls, schools, and lesson registrations.

④ フルネームでお願いします

In Japan, people often ask for your full name on forms and registrations. フルネーム = full name. でお願いします = please (in that form). You will hear this at city hall, hospitals, and schools.

⚠️ Common Mistake
Don’t confuse わたしは〇〇です (I am 〇〇 — stating your name) and 〇〇から来ました (I came from 〇〇 — stating where you are from). They look similar but have different meanings.

4. Polite & Casual ／ていねい・カジュアル

Polite	Casual / Simple	English
〇〇と申します。	〇〇です。	My name is 〇〇.
お名前は何ですか。	名前は？	What is your name?
お名前を教えてください。	名前を教えて。	Please tell me your name.

Use POLITE with:

Teachers · store staff · city hall · hospital · first meetings · people you don’t know well

Use CASUAL with:

Friends · family · close classmates

💡 For beginners, polite Japanese is always the safe choice.

5. Conversation Practice ／かいわ

💬 Conversation 1 — Saying Your Name

Aお名前は何ですか。What is your name?

Bマリアです。I am Maria.

Aマリアさんですね。Maria, right?

Bはい、そうです。Yes, that’s right.

💬 Conversation 2 — Full Name

Aお名前を教えてください。Please tell me your name.

Bジョンです。I am John.

Aフルネームでお願いします。Full name, please.

Bジョン・スミスです。I am John Smith.

💬 Conversation 3 — Formal Introduction

Aはじめまして。Nice to meet you.

Bはじめまして。Nice to meet you.

Aジョン・スミスと申します。My name is John Smith.

B田中です。よろしくお願いします。I am Tanaka. Nice to meet you.

Aよろしくお願いします。Nice to meet you.

💬 Conversation 4 — Writing Your Name

Staffここに名前を書いてください。Please write your name here.

Youわかりました。I understand.

Staffフルネームでお願いします。Full name, please.

Youはい、わかりました。Yes, I understand.

6. Vocabulary ／たんご

Japanese	Romaji	English
わたし	watashi	I / me
名前	namae	name
お名前	onamae	name (polite)
苗字	myooji	last name / family name
フルネーム	furu neemu	full name
申します	mooshimasu	am called / say (humble form)
何	nan / nani	what
書いてください	kaite kudasai	please write
教えてください	oshiete kudasai	please tell me
ここ	koko	here

7. Check Your Understanding ／クイズ

Think about each question first. The answer and explanation are shown below each one.

Q1. What does 「わたしはマリアです」 mean?

A. I came from Maria. B. I am Maria. C. I like Maria.

Answer: B
わたしは = I am. 〇〇です = am 〇〇. Together: “I am Maria.”

Q2. Which phrase is more formal?

A. ジョンです。 B. ジョンと申します。 C. ジョンだよ。

Answer: B
〇〇と申します is the humble/polite form. Use it in formal situations, business, or with people in authority. だよ (C) is casual/friendly.

Q3. What does 「お名前は何ですか」 mean?

A. Where are you from? B. What is your name? C. What time is it?

Answer: B
お名前 = name (polite). は何ですか = what is? Together: “What is your name?”

8. Match the Phrase ／れんしゅう

Match each Japanese phrase with its correct English meaning. Check your answers below.

わたしは〇〇です。 → ______

〇〇と申します。 → ______

お名前は何ですか。 → ______

名前を書いてください。 → ______

フルネームでお願いします。 → ______

Choices: A. Full name, please. B. My name is 〇〇. (polite) C. I am 〇〇. D. Please write your name. E. What is your name?

Answers: わたしは〇〇です = C ／〇〇と申します = B ／お名前は何ですか = E ／名前を書いてください = D ／フルネームでお願いします = A

9. Choose the Best Response ／れんしゅう

Choose the best response for each situation. Answers are shown below each one.

Q1. A city hall staff member asks, 「お名前は何ですか。」

A. マリアです。 B. こんばんは。 C. ありがとうございます。

Answer: A
When asked your name, reply with your name. マリアです = “I am Maria.” You could also say マリア・サントスと申します for a more formal response.

Q2. A staff member says, 「名前を書いてください。」

A. わかりました。 B. はじめまして。 C. また明日。

Answer: A
わかりました = I understand. After instructions like “please write your name,” always reply with わかりました.

Q3. You are introducing yourself formally for the first time.

A. ジョンと申します。 B. ジョンだよ。 C. ジョンをください。

Answer: A
〇〇と申します is the polite, humble form for formal introductions. だよ (B) is too casual, and C has incorrect grammar.

🚀 Mini Mission

Today’s mission: Say your name in Japanese in three ways.

Try saying:

わたしは＿＿＿＿＿です。
＿＿＿＿＿です。
＿＿＿＿＿と申します。

Practice with your teacher, a classmate, a friend, or yourself in front of a mirror.

📘 Review ／まとめ

In this lesson, you learned three ways to say your name in Japanese. The most important patterns are:

〇〇です。(everyday / natural)
〇〇と申します。(polite / formal)

💡 Use 〇〇です in daily life. Use 〇〇と申します when you want to sound polite — at city hall, hospitals, job interviews, or with people you’ve just met formally.

FAQ

Q. Do I need to say 「わたしは」 every time?

No. In real conversation, Japanese people often drop わたしは and just say 〇〇です because it’s already clear who is speaking. Both versions are correct. For beginners, use whichever feels easier.

Q. When should I use 「と申します」 instead of 「です」?

Use 〇〇と申します in formal situations — such as meeting a teacher, attending a job interview, speaking to city hall staff, or any first meeting where you want to sound respectful. In everyday life, 〇〇です is perfectly natural.

Q. How do I write my name in Japanese?

Foreign names are usually written in katakana, based on how the name sounds. For example: John → ジョン, Maria → マリア, Ana → アナ. You don’t need to master katakana yet — for now, just say your name aloud. Your teacher can help you write it in katakana.

🌸 Practice with a real teacher

Want to Practice with a Teacher?

The best way to make your name introduction feel natural is to say it to a real person. Practice with a professional teacher — start with a free trial lesson and introduce yourself in Japanese with confidence.

Book a Free Trial Lesson →

Online or in-person — both available on request.

Lesson 1: Saying Your Name なまえのいいかた — How to Say Your Name

Before You Start

1. Key Phrases ／ きほんのフレーズ

2. Three Ways to Say Your Name ／ なまえの3つのいいかた

3. Phrase Notes ／ ポイント

4. Polite & Casual ／ ていねい・カジュアル

5. Conversation Practice ／ かいわ