Mini-Dialogue 1: Introductions
Put it together — introduce yourself and ask about someone.
Meeting Someone New
You are at a language exchange event. You see someone who looks like they are also learning Japanese. It is time to introduce yourself and see if they are a student too.
Putting It All Together
We use the copula 'desu' to state facts and the particle 'ka' to turn statements into questions.
Tip
Dialogue Practice
Listen to how these particles work in a real conversation.
はじめまして。たなかです。
はじめまして。田中です。
Nice to meet you. I am Tanaka.
はじめまして。さとうです。
はじめまして。佐藤です。
Nice to meet you. I am Sato.
さとうさんはがくせいですか。
佐藤さんは学生ですか。
Sato-san, are you a student?
はい、がくせいです。たなかさんもがくせいですか。
はい、学生です。田中さんも学生ですか。
Yes, I am a student. Are you also a student, Tanaka-san?
いいえ、わたしはせんせいです。
いいえ、私は先生です。
No, I am a teacher.
それはわたしのはんです。
それは私の本です。
That is my book.
田中さん【は】学生ですか。
Hint: Use the topic marker.
Tanaka-san, are you a student?
Nuance and Register
Using 'desu' makes your speech polite and appropriate for meeting new people.
Polite vs Casual
田中です
Polite (Standard)
I am Tanaka.
田中だ
Casual (Friends only)
I'm Tanaka.
Which sentence is appropriate for a first meeting?
- ✓ 田中です。
- 田中だ。
Using 'desu' is the standard polite form required for introductions.
Advanced Notes
A few extra tips on particle usage.
Dropping the Subject
Lesson Summary
You have learned how to introduce yourself, ask questions using 'ka', and connect ideas with 'no' and 'mo'.