Formal to Acquaintance
Cultural · Greeting
はじめまして。〇〇と申します。どうぞよろしくお願いします。 — How do you do. My name is [Name]. I'm very pleased to meet you. (Cultural · Greeting, Formal to Acquaintance, JLPT N5)
You
はじめまして。〇〇と申します。どうぞよろしくお願いします。
はじめまして。〇〇ともうします。どうぞよろしくおねがいします。
How do you do. My name is [Name]. I'm very pleased to meet you.
Romaji: Hajimemashite. [Name] to moushimasu. Douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu. / Reply Romaji: Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegai shimasu.
Reply
こちらこそ、よろしくお願いします。
こちらこそ、よろしくおねがいします。
Likewise, I'm pleased to meet you.
Gesture & etiquette
Bow at about 15-30 degrees (deeper for more formal settings); maintain brief eye contact after the bow — not prolonged staring; wait for the other person to also complete their bow before raising your head; if exchanging business cards, present yours with both hands.
はじめまして' is the universal Japanese first-meeting opener — always followed by your name and 'よろしくお願いします'; the depth of your bow signals the formality of the context; 'と申します' is the more formal equivalent of 'と言います' and is preferred in business settings.