How to introduce yourself in English?

1. How to talk about yourself?

Saying “hi” and introducing yourself might seem like a small thing, but it’s  important. Whether you’re at an international conference, travelling, starting a new job, or simply meeting new friends, a proper self-introduction can help start a nice conversation. If you are not confident about how to properly introduce yourself in English, this guide will help you.

Start with a greeting like ‘Hello’ or ‘Hi’. If you want to sound a bit formal, you can use “Good morning,” ‘Good afternoon,” or “Good evening,” depending on the time of day. The next step is to tell your name. “My name is [Your name]” is the most straightforward way. Alternatively, you can use “I’m [Your name]” for a more casual tone.

Share some personal information: Depending on the context, you might want to include more information about yourself.

1. Where you’re from: “I’m from [your country or city].”
2. Your occupation: “I work as a [Your job] at [Your company].”
3. Reason for being there: “ I’m here for the annual workshop on women in science. ”

Mention interests or hobbies: Sharing a bit about what you love to do in your free time can be a great way to find common interests with others.

My name’s Sarah
I’m from England.
I live in London.
I was born on the 5th of May 1998.
I’m 35 years old.
My birthday is on the 5th of May.
I’m a teacher.
I have a D. Litt. (Doctor of Letters) in English from the University of Oxford.
I’ve been teaching for 5 years.

I’m married.
My husband’s name is Robert.
He works as an engineer for Google.
We have been married for 10 years.
We have two children.
My son’s name is Khan.
He is 5 years old.
My daughter’s name is Lily.
She’s 3 years old.
I love spending time with my family when I’m not working.

I like being physically active.
I’m a keen basketball player.
I’ve been playing basketball since I was in high school.
I enjoy reading books.
My favourite author is J. K. Rowling.
I’m an outgoing person, and I like hanging out with my friends.

2. Questions and possible answers

Introducing your name.

1. What’s your name?
2. What should I call you?
3. I don’t think we’ve been introduced yet. My name is Jake. What’s yours?
4. I don’t think I’ve met you before. I’m Jack. What’s your name?
5. May I have your name, please?
6. Could you tell me your name, please?

 

Possible answers

My name is .... (name)
My name is Jack.
I’m .... (name)
I’m Clara.
I’m .... (name), but you can call me.... (nickname)
I’m Bradley, but you can call me Brad.
I’m .... (name), but people call me .... (nickname)
I’m Bradley, but people call me Brad.

Introducing your place of birth.

1. Where were you born?
2. What is your place of birth?
3. In which city were you born?
4. In which town were you born?

Possible answers

I was born in .... (place or country)
I was born in Barcelona.
I was born in Spain.
My place of birth is .... (place)
My place of birth is Heidelberg.

Introducing your family members.

1. How many people are there in your family?
2. How many siblings do you have?
3. Do you have any siblings?
4. Do you have any brothers and sisters?

Possible answers

We are a family of .... (numbers)
We are a family of five.
I have .... (number of brothers and sisters)
I have two brothers and one sister.
Yes, I have .... and ....
Yes, I have two brothers and one sister.
No, I’m an only child.

Introducing your place of residence.

1. Where do you live?
2. What’s your current address?*
3. What’s your street address?*
4. Could you give me your street address, please?*
5. May I have your address, please?*

Possible answers

I live in .... (place)
I live in London.
It’s....(address) or My address is ....(address)
It’s 57 Queen Street, E1 7AA, London.
My address is 57 Queen Street, E1 7AA, London.

* People ask these questions when they want to know your exact location. For example, when they need your address for administration purposes.

Introducing your work.

1. What do you do?
2. What do you do for living?
3. What’s your job?

 

Possible answers

I’m a/ an .... (job title)
I’m a doctor.
I work as a / an .... (job title) for .... (company)
I work as a mechanical engineer for NASA.
I work for .... (company) as a / an .... (job title)
I work for NASA as a mechanical engineer.
I’m responsible for .... (job responsibility) at .... (company)
As a .... (job title) at.... (company), I’m responsible for ....(job responsibility)
I’m responsible for analysing customer feedback at Amazon.

 

As a chief marketing officer at Amazon, I’m responsible for leading the development and execution of our overall marketing strategy.
I’m a ....(job title). My work involves ..... (job responsibility).
I’m a data scientist at McKinsey & Company. My work involves analysing large and complex data sets to identify patterns and solve business problems for our clients.
I’m .... (Job status)
I’m unemployed.
I’m jobless.
I’m looking for a job.
I’m looking for work.
I’m retired.

Introducing your hobbies and interests.

1. What do you do in your free time?
2. What’s your favourite ....(e.g., sport, food, etc.)?
3. Who’s your favourite ....(e.g., actor, actress, writer, etc.)
4. What’s your hobby?
5. What do you like to do in your spare time?

Possible answers

I like playing the guitar in my free time.
In my free time, I like playing the guitar.
In my spare time, I like hanging out with my friends.
When I have free time, I ....
When I have free time, I usually catch up on my reading.
I mostly spend my free time ....
I mostly spend my free time on TikTok.
I usually spend my free time....
I usually spend my free time doing nothing.
I enjoy/love ....(+ ing form of the verb)....
I enjoy surfing and skiing.
I enjoy swimming.
I’m into ....
I’m into cycling.
My hobbies are ....
My hobbies are skateboarding, skydiving, windsurfing, and ice skating.
My favourite sport is football.

Introducing your age.

1. How old are you?

Possible answers

I’m .... years old.
I’m twenty years old.
I’m in my ....*
I’m in my thirties.
I’m in my early ....*
I’m in my early forties.
I’m in my late ....*
I’m in my late sixties.

Asking someone’s age may not always be appropriate. You may only want to do so if you know the person well.
*You could say these when you don’t want to tell your exact age.

3. Useful tips for engaging in conversation

Use body language: Remember, communication isn’t just about words. Smile, maintain eye contact, and offer a firm handshake if it’s appropriate. Your body language can make your introduction feel warmer and more genuine.

Ask about the other person: After introducing yourself, it’s polite to ask the other person about themselves. Simple questions like, “And you?”, “What about you?”, or “How about you?” can prompt them to talk more about themselves.

Listen actively: When the other person is introducing themselves, be sure to listen. Not only is it courteous, but it also helps you remember details for future conversations.

Tailor your introduction: Depending on the situation, you might adjust the information you provide. For instance, at a professional event, focus on your job or field of expertise. At a casual gathering, hobbies and personal interests might be more relevant.

Learn cultural nuances: In some cultures, certain details might be more important than others. For instance, in a business setting in Japan, exchanging business cards is a critical part of an introduction.

Practice makes perfect: The more you practice your introduction, the more confident you’ll become. Try rehearsing in front of a mirror or with a friend.

4. Common mistakes

Being too long-winded: Keep your introduction concise. Avoid going into lengthy stories unless asked.

Forgetting to smile: A simple smile can make your introduction more approachable.

Speaking too quickly: Especially if you’re nervous, you might rush through your introduction. Take a deep breath and pace yourself.

Neglecting to listen: Once you’ve introduced yourself, ensure you listen to the other person’s introduction. This shows respect and helps in building relationship.