Describe yourself in Japanese
Can you describe yourself in Japanese? It’s useful to be able to talk about yourself when you’re getting to know new people, speaking to an official person or filling out a form. Whatever the situation, the Rocket Japanese team have created this free audio lesson to make it easier for you.
How to describe yourself in Japanese
Perhaps you’re booking into a hotel, or going for an interview. You’ll probably be asked some basic personal questions in Japanese like “what is your name?” “where are you from?” or “what is your date of birth?"
Let's go through some of the most common questions you might be asked, whether you're filling out a registration form in a hotel or at the consulate getting a new passport. In these situations, you'll be addressed politely so even if you've seen some of these questions before, all the questions below are expressed formally.
あなた の たんじょうび は いつ ですか?
あなたの誕生日は、いつですか?
Anata no tanjyōbi wa itsu desuka?
What is your date of birth?
あなた には おこさん が いらっしゃい ますか?
あなたにはお子さんがいらっしゃいますか?
Anata niwa okosan ga irasshai masuka?
Do you have children?
あなた には おこさん が なんにん いらっしゃい ますか?
あなたにはお子さんが何人いらっしゃいますか?
Anata niwa okosan ga nannin irasshai masuka?
How many children do you have?
あなたの でんわ ばんごう は なんばん ですか?
あなたの電話番号は何番ですか?
Anata no denwa bangō wa nanban desuka?
What is your telephone number?
あなた の けいたい でんわ ばんごう は なんばん ですか?
あなたの携帯電話番号は何番ですか?
Anatano kētai denwa bangō wa nanban desuka?
What is your cell phone number?
あなた の パスポート ばんごう は なんですか?
あなたのパスポート番号は何ですか?
Anata no pasupōto bangō wa nandesuka?
What is your passport number?
How to answer questions about yourself
When you're responding, you can follow one of the simple formats below. Just insert the appropriate information in the brackets.
わたし の たんじょうび は .... ねん .... がつ .... にち です
私の誕生日は .... 年 .... 月 .... 日です
Watashi no tanjyōbi wa (year) nen (month) gatsu (day) nichi desu.
My birthday is on [day] [month] [year].
はい、わたし には .... にん の こども が います
はい、私には .... 人の子供がいます
Hai, watashi niwa .... nin no kodomo ga imasu.
Yes, I have [number] children.
わたし の でんわ ばんごう は .... です
私の電話番号は .... です
Watashi no denwa bangō wa .... desu.
My telephone number is [your number].
わたし の けいたい でんわ ばんごう は .... です
私の携帯電話番号は .... です
Watashi no keitai denwa bangou wa .... desu.
My cell phone number is [your number].
How to fill out forms in Japanese
If you find yourself being asked to fill out forms with your personal details, you won't get the complete questions that you've studied above. Instead, you'll get short words or phrases.
Numbers in Japanese
For some of these questions, you'll need to know some Japanese numbers. Here are some basics:For more numbers, check out our lessons on Japanese Numbers.
Phew - that was a lot to take in at once! But these will definitely come in handy so make sure you practice these as much as possible. Happy learning!
Here are a few recommended Japanese lessons to try next!
- What about describing other people in Japanese? Check this Japanese lesson out.
- Imagine you’re traveling in Tokyo and you need to ask for directions in Japanese.
- Talking about your emotions in Japanese is a great way to connect with Japanese.
Sayōnara!
Sayaka Matsuura
Rocket Japanese