Japanese - Identity

私の名前は ___ です。

Watashi no namae wa ___ desu.

My name is ___.

Meaning: My name is ___.

When to use: Use this to formally tell someone your full name. In casual speech people often shorten it to just 「___です。」

___ 出身です。

___ shusshin desu.

I am from ___.

Meaning: I am from ___.

When to use: Put a country, city, or region in the blank (no extra particle after the place). Example: 「東京出身です。」

Tip: Beginners sometimes add a particle like 'から' or 'に' after the place; with 出身 it’s usually just the place + 出身です。

出身はどちらですか？

Shusshin wa dochira desu ka?

Where are you from?

Meaning: Where are you from?

When to use: A polite way to ask someone's hometown or country. Slightly more casual: 「出身はどこですか？」

___ に住んでいます。

___ ni sunde imasu.

I live in ___.

Meaning: I live in ___.

When to use: Put your current city or town in the blank and use the particle に: ＿＿に住んでいます。

Tip: Forgetting the particle に after the place is common. Say '東京に住んでいます。' not '東京住んでいます。'

どこに住んでいますか？

Doko ni sunde imasu ka?

Where do you live?

Meaning: Where do you live?

When to use: A simple, polite question to ask where someone currently lives. Note this may be a bit personal with new acquaintances.

___歳です

___-sai desu.

I am ___ years old.

Meaning: I'm ___ years old.

When to use: Put an age number before 歳 (sai): 例：20歳です。 Use this to state your age politely.

Tip: Make sure to attach 歳 (sai) after the number. Saying only the number can sound incomplete.

おいくつですか。

Oikutsu desu ka.

How old are you?

Meaning: How old are you?

When to use: A polite and natural way to ask someone's age. With children or friends you can use more casual forms.

___です

___ desu.

I am a ___.

Meaning: I'm a ___.

When to use: Put a job or role (e.g., 学生, 会社員) in the blank: ＿＿です。

___を話します。

___ o hanashimasu.

I speak ___.

Meaning: I speak ___.

When to use: Put a language name in the blank and use the particle を: ＿＿を話します。 Example: 日本語を話します。

___は話せますか。

___ wa hanasemasu ka.

Do you speak ___?

Meaning: Do you speak ___?

When to use: Put a language name in the blank with the topic particle は: ＿＿は話せますか。 Example: 英語は話せますか。

___と呼んでください。

___ to yonde kudasai.

You can call me ___.

Meaning: You can call me ___.

When to use: Use this to give a preferred name or nickname: ＿＿と呼んでください。

名字は___です。

Myōji wa ___ desu.

My last name is ___.

Meaning: My last name is ___.

When to use: Use this during introductions to give your family name: 名字は＿＿です。

名字を教えてください。

Myōji o oshiete kudasai.

What's your last name?

Meaning: What's your last name?

When to use: A polite way to ask someone's family name: 名字を教えてください。