会えて嬉しいです
aete ureshii desu
The English phrase "good to see you" is expressed in Japanese as 会えて嬉しいです (aete ureshii desu).
会えて嬉しいです is a friendly greeting used to tell someone that you are happy to meet them again. It is specifically used when you have met the person before. It is not used for a first-time introduction.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the potential form of the verb "to meet" (aete) and the adjective for "happy/glad" (ureshii).
Which one should you use?
While 会えて嬉しいです expresses personal happiness, お会いできて光栄です is a much more formal way to express that meeting someone is an honor, translating to "It is an honor to meet you". Additionally, the phrase yoroshiku onegaishimasu can be interpreted as "pleased to make your acquaintance".
How does it change in a sentence?
Dropping the desu at the end makes the phrase informal and suitable for friends or peers, resulting in 会えて嬉しい.
How do you pronounce it?
aete ureshii desu
Did you know?
- In a business email, instead of saying it is 'good to see you', one would more commonly use ご無沙汰しております (gobusata shite orimasu), which serves as an apology for the long silence.
- The adjective 嬉しい ('ureshii') used in this phrase describes a temporary, situational joy, whereas 幸せ ('shiawase') describes a permanent state of happiness and would sound strange in this greeting.
- While English speakers use 'good to see you' both in person and on the phone, using the specific verb 会う (au, to meet) over the phone is technically incorrect because you are not physically meeting.
Examples in context
- 友達よ、お帰り！会えて嬉しいよ！Hey friend, welcome back! I'm glad to see you!
- また会えて嬉しいです。Mata aete ureshii desu.I am happy to see you again.
- 今日、会えて嬉しいです。Kyou, aete ureshii desu.I am happy to see you today.
- 久しぶりに会えて嬉しいです。Hisashiburi ni aete ureshii desu.I am happy to see you after a long time.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki bump into each other at a cafe.
- 健太 Kenta美咲さん、また会えて嬉しいです！Misaki-san, mata aete ureshii desu!Misaki, I am happy to see you again!
- 美咲 Misaki健太さん、私も会えて嬉しいです。Kenta-san, watashi mo aete ureshii desu.Kenta, I am happy to see you too.
- 健太 Kentaお元気でしたか？Ogenki deshita ka?How have you been?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、元気ですよ。Hai, genki desu yo.Yes, I am doing well.
