what do you say when you meet someone for the first time in japanese
Japanese Etiquette. Meeting for the first time. When Japanese people meet for the first time, they say 'Hajime-mashite' which comes from the word hajimeru, to begin. They'll also give their name using the word 'desu' - 'Tanaka desu' - or 'to moshimasu' in a formal situation - 'Tanaka to moshimasu'.