ravi de vous rencontrer
The English phrase "good to meet you" can be translated into French as ravi de vous rencontrer.
This phrase is a polite expression used when meeting someone for the first time. The word rencontrer means to meet, and the phrase literally translates to "delighted to meet you".
Which one should you use?
While ravi de vous rencontrer is a complete sentence, you can also use the single word Enchanté as a very common, shorter way to say "Nice to meet you". For the more formal expression "Delighted to make your acquaintance", you would use Enchanté(e) de faire votre connaissance.
How does it change in a sentence?
The grammar changes depending on the gender of the speaker and the level of familiarity. If the speaker is female, the adjective must change to the feminine form: ravie de vous rencontrer or Enchantée. In informal settings, you can replace the formal vous with te to say ravi de te rencontrer. For the adjective Enchanté, a female speaker adds an extra e to write it as Enchantée.
Did you know?
- The word ravi comes from the verb ravir, which can also mean 'to seize' or 'to steal'. In the context of meeting someone, it describes being 'carried away' by joy.
- In formal French etiquette, when saying ravi de vous rencontrer to a person of high status, it is traditional to slightly bow the head as a sign of respect, a gesture less common in modern casual English-speaking environments.
- In traditional French etiquette, the phrase Enchanté was once considered too informal for high-society introductions, where more elaborate phrases about one's 'acquaintance' were required.
Examples in context
- Ravi de vous rencontrer.Good to meet you.This example shows the use of ravi de vous rencontrer.Tatoeba #10669529 by Adelpa, translation #2865955 by sundown
- Je suis ravi de vous rencontrer.I am delighted to meet you.
- Enchanté, ravi de vous rencontrer.Nice to meet you, delighted to meet you.
Example conversation
Gabriel meets Chloé at a professional networking event.
- GabrielBonjour, je suis Gabriel.Hello, I am Gabriel.
- ChloéEnchantée, je m'appelle Chloé.Nice to meet you, my name is Chloé.
- GabrielRavi de vous rencontrer, Chloé.Good to meet you, Chloé.
- ChloéMoi aussi, Gabriel.Me too, Gabriel.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, ravi, rencontrer, vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
