私は〜ですwatashi wa ~ desu
Watashi wa desu (私は〜です) means “Polite self-introduction”.
I am a student.
Put your name or job in 「私は〜です」 to introduce yourself politely when meeting someone.
In the course
How it works
When meeting someone for the first time, you can introduce yourself like the student in the picture.
「私」 means “I”: the person speaking. The student points to himself as he introduces himself.
Here, 「は」 is pronounced 「わ」. It signals that the information that follows is about “me”.
The same person can introduce their name or their job. Which word changes in the picture?
Put a noun, such as 「学生」 or 「山田」, between 「私は」 and 「です」 to say “I am …”.
「です」 makes your introduction polite. When meeting someone for the first time, place it after your name or job.
Example sentences
- 私watashiはwa学生gakuseiです。desu
I am a student.
- 私watashiはwa教師kyoushiです。desu
I am a teacher.
In a conversation
- 先生私は山田です。どうぞよろしく。
Teacher: I'm Yamada. Nice to meet you.
- 李私は李です。よろしくお願いします。
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
I am a student.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
こんにちは。はじめまして。私 です。
Hello. Nice to meet you. I'm Yamada.
More grammar in this theme
- 私は〜ですPolite self-introduction