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Beginner · First words: sounds, hello and you · topic 3 of 59 · 15 min

Introducing yourself

Explanation

Introducing yourself means telling people your name, where you are from and what you do. Use short, clear lines: "My name is Anjali. I am from Lucknow. I am a student." अपना परिचय देना हर नई मुलाक़ात का पहला कदम है।

You will introduce yourself many times: in class, at a new job, at an interview, on a phone call. A good introduction is short and clear. Three to five sentences are enough.

The basic pattern

What to sayPatternExample
NameMy name is ... / I am ...My name is Anjali.
PlaceI am from ... / I live in ...I am from Lucknow. I live in Delhi now.
Work or studyI am a ... / I work at ... / I study ...I am a nurse. I work at a hospital.
Family (optional)I live with ...I live with my parents and my sister.
HobbyI like ... / In my free time, I ...I like cooking and music.

My name is Anjali Verma.

Say it: my NAYM iz an-JA-lee VER-ma

मेरा नाम अंजलि वर्मा है।

I'm from Lucknow, but I live in Delhi now.

Say it: aim from LUCK-now, but ai LIV in DEL-ee now

मैं लखनऊ से हूँ, पर अब दिल्ली में रहती हूँ।

I work as a nurse at a hospital.

Say it: ai WURK az a NURS at a HOS-pi-tal

मैं एक अस्पताल में नर्स का काम करती हूँ।

I'm a second-year B.Com student.

Say it: aim a SEK-und yeer bee-KOM STYOO-dent

मैं बी.कॉम द्वितीय वर्ष का छात्र हूँ।

I run a small grocery shop.

Say it: ai RUN a small GROH-sa-ree shop

मैं एक छोटी किराने की दुकान चलाता हूँ।

"Run" a shop or business means you own and manage it.

I look after my home and my two children.

Say it: ai LUK AAF-ter my HOME and my TOO CHIL-dren

मैं अपने घर और दो बच्चों की देखभाल करती हूँ।

A proud, natural way for a homemaker to describe her work.

In my free time, I like reading and cricket.

Say it: in my FREE taim, ai LIKE REE-ding and KRIK-it

ख़ाली समय में मुझे पढ़ना और क्रिकेट पसंद है।

Careful: Common mistake: "Myself Anjali." This is heard a lot in India but it is not correct English. Say "I am Anjali" or "My name is Anjali."
Careful: Common mistake: "I am belonging to Lucknow." Say "I am from Lucknow" or "I come from Lucknow."
Think of it like this: Your introduction is like your visiting card, but spoken. Keep the important facts on it, keep it neat, and do not fill it with too much.
Tip: Prepare two versions: a 10-second one ("Hi, I am Anjali, a nurse from Lucknow.") and a 30-second one with work, family and hobbies. Practise both in front of a mirror.
Tip: After you introduce yourself, ask a question back: "And what about you?" or "What do you do?" Conversations are two-way.

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Watch the lesson

Introducing yourself · 1/7

Introducing yourself

Hello! Today you will learn to introduce yourself in English, in just a few clear sentences.

Prefer a video by a teacher? Find free videos on “how to introduce yourself in english for beginners in hindi” on YouTube ↗

In real life: First day at a new office

Manager: Everyone, this is our new colleague. Rahul: Hello everyone. My name is Rahul Sharma. I'm from Jaipur. I have joined as an accounts assistant. I have two years of experience in a CA firm. In my free time, I like playing badminton. Pooja: Welcome, Rahul! I'm Pooja. I work in sales. Rahul: Nice to meet you, Pooja.

Practice (0/4 done)

Task 1 · Speak

Say this introduction aloud.

My name is Rahul. I'm from Jaipur. I work as an accounts assistant.

मेरा नाम राहुल है। मैं जयपुर से हूँ। मैं अकाउंट्स असिस्टेंट का काम करता हूँ।

Press Speak, then say the sentence.
Task 2 · Listen and type

Listen and type the sentence.

Task 3 · Practice

Write a five-sentence introduction about yourself. Then record or say it aloud three times.

Task 4 · Question

Which sentence is correct?

Quick quiz

Question 1

1.Which is the best way to say where you come from?

Question 2

2.What does "I run a small shop" mean?

Question 3

3.Complete: "I work ___ a teacher."

Question 4

4.After introducing yourself, what is a friendly next line?

Question 5

5.How long should a simple self-introduction be?

Before this, learn

This topic builds on these. If something here feels new, open them first.

Open a question to see the answer and why. The first ones are this topic's own quiz, so try the quiz above before you peek.

Which is the best way to say where you come from?

Answer: I am from Pune.

Say "I am from Pune" or "I come from Pune".

What does "I run a small shop" mean?

Answer: I own and manage a small shop

To "run" a shop or business means to own and manage it.

Complete: "I work ___ a teacher."

Answer: as

We say "I work as a teacher" to name a job.

After introducing yourself, what is a friendly next line?

Answer: What about you?

Asking "What about you?" keeps the conversation going and shows interest.

How long should a simple self-introduction be?

Answer: Three to five sentences

A good introduction is short and clear: three to five sentences.

How long should a "Tell me about yourself" answer usually be?Related

Answer: 60 to 90 seconds

Sixty to ninety seconds is enough to interest them without boring them.

From Job interviews: tell me about yourself

Which subject line is best?Related

Answer: Sales report for October: please review by Friday

A good subject line tells the reader what the email is about and what you need.

From Office emails and messages

Pass the quiz (60% or more) or mark this topic as done when you are ready.

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Next: Please, thank you, sorry and excuse me →

Next steps

  1. 1 more topic in “First words: sounds, hello and you” before its exam: Please, thank you, sorry and excuse me.
  2. Module 1 exam: first words · 12 questions · 15 min, without help. 4 topics of this module still to finish first.
  3. Then the next module, Numbers, time and money. 59 topics left in the course before the final exam.

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