Polite first-meeting questions
Conversation phrases, Stage 2chunk 4 of 71Getting to know you
Recognise the formal versions people use with a stranger.
- onamae wa?what's your name?
- dochira kara desu kawhere are you from?
- shitsurei desu gaexcuse me, but (may I ask)
Mix-ups These are polite forms; among friends doko kara kita no replaces dochira kara desu ka.
onamae wa?
polite onamae wa nan desu ka
what's your name?
Short way to ask a name, e.g. at a reception or to a child; answer with your name plus desu.
The o- is only for other people's names; your own is just namae.
kawaii ne. onamae wa?
So cute. What's your name?
かわいいね。お名前は？
shitsurei desu ga, onamae wa nan desu ka?
Excuse me, but may I ask your name?
失礼ですが、お名前は何ですか？
Written お名前は？ · おなまえは · お名前は何ですかWho you say it and hear itHeard 193× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
dochira kara desu ka
where are you from?
Polite question to someone new about their country or town; answer with the place plus kara desu.
Casually: doko kara kita no? It can also mean where have you come from today.
nihongo ojouzu desu ne. dochira kara desu ka?
Your Japanese is great. Where are you from?
日本語お上手ですね。どちらからですか？
Written どちらからですかWho you say it and hear itHeard 364× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
shitsurei desu ga
excuse me, but (may I ask)
Opens a personal or awkward question to someone you don't know well, like their name, age or company.
Not for getting someone's attention; use sumimasen for that.
shitsurei desu ga, otoshi wa oikutsu desu ka?
Excuse me for asking, but how old are you?
失礼ですが、お年はおいくつですか？
Written 失礼ですが · しつれいですがWho you say it and hear itHeard 169× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles