很高兴认识你
hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ
In Chinese, 'it is nice to meet you' is expressed as 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ).
This phrase is a polite expression used when meeting someone for the first time.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is broken down as follows: 很 means 'very' and is used here to intensify the feeling of being happy. 高兴 means 'happy' or 'glad'. And 认识 means 'to know' or 'to be acquainted with' a person.
Which one should you use?
By replacing 你 with 您 at the end, you create the more respectful and formal version 很高兴认识您. Additionally, if you wish to express that meeting someone is a prestigious and remarkable experience, you can use 见到您很荣幸, which means 'It is an honor to meet you'. In casual settings among acquaintances, you might use 见到你真好 to convey warmth and joy.
How do you pronounce it?
hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ
When do people say it?
A common response to this phrase is to add 我也 (meaning 'I also') to the beginning, resulting in 我也很高兴认识你 ('nice to meet you too').
Did you know?
- In many Western cultures, eye contact is standard when saying 'nice to meet you', but in some traditional Chinese contexts, overly intense eye contact during an introduction can be seen as aggressive. Softening your gaze can actually complement the politeness of your words.
- In very formal introductions, it is common to exchange business cards with both hands while saying 很高兴认识您 to show maximum respect.
- When meeting someone of significantly higher status, a speaker might use the word 幸会 (xìng huì), which literally means 'a fortunate meeting'.
Examples in context
- 早上好！很高兴认识您。Good morning! It is nice to meet you.
- 你好！见到您很荣幸。Hello! It is an honor to meet you.
- 你好！认识你很高兴！Hey! Nice to meet you!
- 嗨！见到你真好！Hi! It's really nice to meet you!
- 很高兴认识你。Hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ.It is nice to meet you.
Example conversation
Two students meet for the first time at university.
- 梓涵 Zihan你好，我是梓涵。Nǐ hǎo, wǒ shì Zǐhán.Hello, I am Zihan.
- 俊杰 Junjie你好，我是俊杰。很高兴认识你。Nǐ hǎo, wǒ shì Jùnjié. Hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ.Hello, I am Junjie. It is nice to meet you.
- 梓涵 Zihan我也很高兴认识你，俊杰。Wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ, Jùnjié.It is nice to meet you too, Junjie.
- 俊杰 Junjie我们一起去教室吧。Wǒmen yìqǐ qù jiàoshì ba.Let's go to the classroom together.
