はじめまして

• Reading: はじめまして
• Romaji: hajimemashite
• Pronunciation: /ha.dʑi.me.ma.ɕi.te/

Meaning

The standard self-introduction phrase meaning 'nice to meet you' — now also used humorously online when 'rediscovering' something.

はじめまして is the definitive first-meeting phrase in Japanese, used universally in introductions from business to casual. In its traditional use, it is always paired with a name and followed by よろしくお願いします. However, internet culture has added a humorous layer: people say はじめまして to things they are encountering for the first time (a new food, a concept, a meme) or sarcastically when reuniting with something they forgot about.

Examples

1. はじめまして、佐藤と申します。よろしくお願いします。 Nice to meet you, my name is Sato. Pleased to make your acquaintance.
2. この味はじめまして…何これ美味しすぎない？ First time trying this flavor... wait, how is this so good?
3. はじめまして！同じ趣味の人に会えて嬉しいです。 Nice to meet you! I'm so happy to find someone with the same hobby.

Usage Guide

Context: introductions, first meetings, online (humorous), business

Tone: polite, fresh, standard

Do Say

• はじめまして、田中です。よろしくお願いします (Nice to meet you, I'm Tanaka. Pleased to make your acquaintance)
• この料理はじめましてだけど、めっちゃ美味しい (First time trying this dish, and it's so good)

Don't Say

• 以前会ったことがある人に「はじめまして」は失礼 — 覚えていないことがバレる (Saying はじめまして to someone you've met before is rude — it reveals you don't remember them)

Common Mistakes

• Using はじめまして when you have already met someone — this is a serious social faux pas
• Forgetting to follow up with your name and よろしくお願いします — はじめまして alone is incomplete

Origin & History

From 初めて (for the first time) + まして (polite connective). Literally 'it is the first time.' One of the oldest and most essential set phrases in Japanese social interaction, with recent humorous extensions in internet culture.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional, universally current (internet humor from 2010s)

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. The most important first-meeting phrase. The humorous internet usage adds a modern layer to a timeless expression.