Usage and Context
"はじめまして" is a polite greeting used exclusively when meeting someone for the first time. It literally means "for the first time" and is often followed by self-introduction phrases like "よろしくお願いします" to express goodwill.
Common Collocations
- はじめまして、[name]と申します: Formal self-introduction
- はじめまして、どうぞよろしく: Polite way to say "Nice to meet you"
Register and Politeness
This phrase is formal and appropriate in business and social settings. It is not used when greeting someone you already know.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use はじめまして when meeting someone again, which sounds unnatural. Remember it is only for first-time encounters.
Summary
Use はじめまして at the start of introductions to show politeness and friendliness when meeting new people.