很高兴见到你
hěn gāoxìng jiàndào nǐ
In Chinese, "good to see you" is translated as 很高兴见到你 (hěn gāoxìng jiàndào nǐ).
This phrase is a friendly greeting used when meeting someone you already know or have just been introduced to.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 很 (very), 高兴 (happy), 见到 (to see/meet) and 你 (you).
Which one should you use?
The verb 见到 (jiàndào) focuses on the act of seeing or meeting someone you may already know. In contrast, use 很高兴认识你 if you are meeting someone for the first time to establish an acquaintance, as 认识 (rènshi) is used specifically when meeting someone for the first time to establish an acquaintance.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase more respectful when addressing elders or superiors, you can replace the final 你 (nǐ) with 您 (nín), resulting in 很高兴见到您.
How do you pronounce it?
hěn gāoxìng jiàndào nǐ
When do people say it?
A common response to this greeting is to add 我也 (wǒ yě), meaning "I also", as in 我也很高兴见到你.
Did you know?
- The word 高兴 (gāoxìng) literally combines the characters for 'high' and 'spirit' or 'interest', suggesting an elevated mood.
- In formal business settings, it is common to use this phrase while presenting a business card with both hands to show respect.
- The character 见 (jiàn) in 见到 is used in the common greeting 再见 (zàijiàn), which literally means 'see again' rather than 'goodbye'.
Examples in context
- 很高兴见到你。Hěn gāoxìng jiàndào nǐ.It is good to see you.
- 今天很高兴见到你。Jīntiān hěn gāoxìng jiàndào nǐ.It is good to see you today.
- 老朋友，很高兴见到你。Lǎo péngyǒu, hěn gāoxìng jiàndào nǐ.Old friend, it is good to see you.
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a coffee shop.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，很高兴见到你！Hào rán, hěn gāoxìng jiàndào nǐ!Haoran, it's good to see you!
- 浩然 Haoran佳怡，我也很高兴见到你。Jiāyí, wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng jiàndào nǐ.Jiayi, it's good to see you too.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你最近怎么样？Nǐ zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?How have you been lately?
- 浩然 Haoran我很好，谢谢。Wǒ hěn hǎo, xièxie.I am doing well, thank you.
