Mr. Tamura and Ms. Kondo have met for the first time. They are using a formal speech style.

A: はじめまして。たむらです。
B: はじめまして。こんどうです。
A: どうぞ、よろしく。
B: こちらこそ。

Vocabulary

1. はじめまして How do you do?
2. たむら Tamura [family name]
3. です am/is/are [polite copula]
4. こんどう Kondo [family name]
5. どうぞ、よろしく Nice to meet you.　[Lit. "I request your best regard."]
6. こちらこそ Same here. [Lit. "It's this side."]

Translation

A: How do you do? I'm Tamura.
B: How do you do? I'm Kondo.
A: Nice to meet you.
B: Same here.

Cultural Notes

1.

In Japan, names traditionally follow the family name first order (e.g., Ono Yoko), and middle names are generally not used. To accommodate Western conventions, Japanese speakers often reverse the order to "given name + family name" (e.g., Yoko Ono) when communicating in English.
2. Although lengths vary, Japanese women’s names typically have two to three syllables, while men’s names often have three to four. While the suffix "-ko" was once a standard marker for female names, many modern names now break from this tradition.
3.

In Japanese social and professional contexts, the phrase よろしく is indispensable. Typically used during first introductions, it translates to "I look forward to our relationship" or "Thank you in advance for your support." By using this greeting, you foster a positive atmosphere and build the rapport necessary to navigate future interactions smoothly. The phrase varies in politeness depending on the setting and the person you are addressing: よろしく (Plain): Used with friends, peers, or those younger than you. どうぞ、よろしく (Formal-Plain): A standard version suitable for most casual-professional settings. どうぞ、よろしくおねがいいたします (Formal-Polite): The polite version, essential for business meetings or when speaking to superiors.

1. よろしく (Plain)

2. どうぞ、よろしく (Formal-Plain)

3. どうぞ、よろしくおねがいします (Formal-Polite)

In addition to being a greeting, よろしくおねがいします is a standard phrase used when making a formal request. It serves as a polite way to say, "I am counting on you" or "I appreciate your help with this," signaling that you trust the other person to handle the task.
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