Japanese Lessons.

<Dialogue>

    Namiko: Hajimemaste, Namiko desu.
                   Doozo yoroshiku.

     Paul: Hajimemaste, Paul desu.
                  Doozo yoroshiku.

A wa B desu  -  A is B

Wa is a particle (it is like English prepostions, but always comes after nouns).

Desu is a topic marker and can be translated as "is, are."  It also acts as an equal sign.

<Example>

         Watashi wa Namiko desu.
          I am Namiko.

         Kore wa hon desu.
         This is a book.

Japanese often omit the topic when it is obvious to the other person.

When introducing yourself you can omit "watashi wa," it will sound natural to a Japanese person. This is because, especially in conversation, "watashi" is rarely used. "Anata (you)" is similarily avoided.
 

Hajimemashite doozo yoroshiku.

"Hajimemashite" is used on meeting  a person for the first time. "Hajimeru" is the verb which means "to begin". "Doozo yoroshiku" is used when you introduce yourself, and other times when you are asking a favor of someone.

Besides family or close friends, Japanese are rarely addressed by their given names. If you go to Japan as a student, people will probably address you by your first name, but if you go their on business, it is better to introduce yourself with yur last name (in this situation, Japanese never introduce themselfs with their first name.
 
 

<Translation for dialogue>

Namiko: How do you do?
              I'm Namiko.
              Nice to meet you.

Paul: How do you do?
        I'm Paul
        Nice to meet you.

* Do you remember learning about hiragana and katakana? Katakana is used for foreign
     names, places and words. If you are not Japanese, your name can be written in katakana.

* When introducing yourself, the bow (ojigi) is preferred to a handshake. Ojigi is an essential part
     of daily Japanese life. If you live in Japan for a long time, you will begin bowing automatically.
     You might even bow when you are talking on the phone (like many Japanese do)!

See you next week!

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