enchanté
/ɑ̃.ʃɑ̃.te/masculine
In French, enchanté is used for the English phrase 'how do you do'. Wiktionary also lists enchantée.
Meaning: Phrase: how do you do (phrase)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| enchanté | /ɑ̃.ʃɑ̃.te/ | masculine |
| enchantée | feminine |
Unlike the English 'How do you do', which can be a formal greeting, enchanté is strictly a reaction to being introduced to someone new.
What does it mean word for word?
The word enchanté literally means 'enchanted' or 'delighted'.
How does it change in a sentence?
A woman should use the feminine form enchantée when introducing herself.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ɑ̃.ʃɑ̃.te/.
Did you know?
- If you use enchanté to greet someone you have already met, it can imply that you have completely forgotten their existence. It is strictly reserved for the very first moment of a formal introduction.
- In French, the word enchantement describes both a magical spell and the feeling of being delighted. Using enchanté as a greeting subtly links the act of meeting someone to a magical experience.
- Unlike English where 'How do you do' is a question, enchanté is a past participle acting as an adjective. It is a statement of the speaker's state of mind rather than an inquiry into the other person's well-being.
Examples in context
- Enchanté, Monsieur.How do you do, sir.
- Je suis enchanté de vous rencontrer.I am delighted to meet you.
- Enchanté de faire votre connaissance.How do you do, nice to meet you.
Example conversation
Léa introduces her friend Gabriel to a colleague.
- LéaGabriel, je te présente mon collègue.Gabriel, I introduce you to my colleague.
- GabrielBonjour ! Enchanté.Hello! How do you do.
- LéaIl travaille avec moi depuis un an.He has been working with me for a year.
- GabrielC'est un plaisir de faire votre connaissance.It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “how do you do” translations and entries enchanté, enchantée, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
