很高兴认识你
hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ
The English phrase "it was nice meeting you" is expressed in Chinese as 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ).
This phrase is used during the first meeting or at the end of a first meeting to express pleasure in the acquaintance. The verb 认识 (rènshi) specifically refers to the act of knowing or being acquainted with a person, rather than meeting a physical location or an object.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 很高兴认识你 literally translates to "very happy to know you", where 很 (hěn) means "very", 高兴 (gāoxìng) means "happy", 认识 (rènshi) means "to know/to meet (someone)" and 你 (nǐ) means "you".
How does it change in a sentence?
You can make the phrase more polite and respectful, especially when speaking to elders or superiors, by replacing the word 你 (nǐ) with 您 (nín) to form 很高兴认识您.
How do you pronounce it?
hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ
Did you know?
- In some professional contexts, rather than saying it was nice meeting, people may say 久仰 (jiǔyǎng), which implies 'I have heard of you for a long time' and is a much higher form of compliment.
- The character 兴 in 高兴 (gāoxìng) originally referred to the 'rising' of spirits or energy. While it now simply means 'happy', its root relates to a physical surge of enthusiasm.
- In some traditional business cultures, saying 很高兴认识你 is often accompanied by a slight nod or a subtle bow. A full Western-style handshake is common now, but the head tilt remains a sign of humility.
Examples in context
- 见到您很荣幸。感谢您给予我这次机会。It's an honor to meet you. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
- 见到你真好！我们可以成为好朋友。It's really great to meet you! We can become good friends.
- 很高兴认识你。Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.It was nice meeting you.
- 今天很高兴认识你。Jīntiān hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.It was nice meeting you today.
- 很高兴认识你，再见。Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ, zàijiàn.It was nice meeting you, goodbye.
Example conversation
After a brief introduction at a social gathering.
- 雨婷 Yuting很高兴认识你，俊杰。Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ, Jùnjié.It was nice meeting you, Junjie.
- 俊杰 Junjie我也很高兴认识你，雨婷。Wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ, Yǔtíng.It was nice meeting you too, Yuting.
- 雨婷 Yuting希望以后还有机会见面。Xīwàng yǐhòu hái yǒu jīhuì jiànmiàn.I hope we have a chance to meet again in the future.
- 俊杰 Junjie一定会的，再见。Yídìng huì de, zàijiàn.We certainly will, goodbye.
