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Japan Know How

It’s my first time here in Japanese

It's my first time here in Japanese

ここは初めてです

In kana only: ここははじめてです

koko wa hajimete desu

polite

What it literally says

as for here, it is the first time

Japanese politeness is mostly built out of phrases that stopped being literal a long time ago. Knowing what is underneath is the difference between repeating a sound and knowing what you said.

When to use it

Invites help without asking for it.

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All 337 phrases →