Polite & Casual Expressions

Question 1

お会いできて嬉しいです

Answer 1

(Oai dekite ureshii desu) – I’m happy to meet you:
This is a common and polite way to express your pleasure at meeting someone. It conveys a feeling of happiness.

Question 2

お会いできて光栄です

Answer 2

(Oai dekite kouei desu) – It’s an honor to meet you (formal):
This is a very formal phrase used when meeting someone you deeply respect or consider important. It expresses a sense of honor.

Question 3

よろしくお願いします

Answer 3

(Yoroshiku onegaishimasu) – Pleased to meet you (polite):
As mentioned before, this phrase is very versatile. In the context of meeting someone, it functions as a polite “pleased to meet you,” but it also carries the nuance of “please be kind to me” or “I look forward to our relationship.”

Question 4

こちらこそ

Answer 4

(Kochira koso) – Likewise (response to “yoroshiku onegaishimasu”):
This is the standard response to “yoroshiku onegaishimasu.” It means “likewise” or “the pleasure is all mine.” It shows that you reciprocate the positive sentiment.

Question 5

初めてですか？

Answer 5

(Hajimete desu ka?) – Is this your first time?:
This is a straightforward question asking if it’s someone’s first experience in a particular place or situation.

Question 6

はい、初めてです

Answer 6

(Hai, hajimete desu) – Yes, it’s my first time:
This is the affirmative response to the previous question.

Question 7

いいえ、何回も来ました

Answer 7

(Iie, nankai mo kimashita) – No, I’ve been here many times:
This is the negative response to the question. It means that the person has visited the location many times.

Question 8

Japanese has levels of politeness, so “________” is much more formal than “ureshii desu.”

Answer 8

kouei desu