enchanté de vous avoir rencontré
enchanté de vous avoir rencontré is the French way to say "it was nice to meet you".
This phrase is a polite expression used to say goodbye to someone after meeting them for the first time. You may also use ravi de vous avoir rencontré to express that you were delighted to have met them.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to enchanted to have met you.
Which one should you use?
While enchanté de vous avoir rencontré uses the past infinitive to mean "it was nice to have met you", the alternative enchanté de vous rencontrer implies the meeting is currently happening or about to happen.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the speaker is female, the word enchanté must be written with an extra 'e' as enchantée.
Did you know?
- In French, the gesture of a light handshake usually accompanies this phrase, but touching the other person's arm can be seen as too intimate for a first meeting.
- In very formal French circles, simply saying enchanté while shaking hands is often preferred over the full sentence enchanté de vous avoir rencontré.
- The word vous used in this phrase is a distant relative of the Russian word вы (vy) and the Italian word voi.
Examples in context
- Vous avez une personnalité charmante. C'était un plaisir de vous rencontrer.You have a charming personality. It was a pleasure to meet you.
- Merci pour cette conversation intéressante. J'ai été ravi de faire votre connaissance.Thank you for this interesting conversation. I was delighted to make your acquaintance.
- La soirée était très amusante. C'était sympa de te rencontrer.The evening was very enjoyable. It was nice to meet you.
- Je suis enchanté de vous avoir rencontré hier.I was delighted to have met you yesterday.
- Enchanté de vous avoir rencontré, Monsieur.It was a pleasure to meet you, Sir.
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are finishing a business meeting.
- ChloéC'était un plaisir, Gabriel. Enchanté de vous avoir rencontré.It was a pleasure, Gabriel. It was nice to meet you.
- GabrielMerci, Chloé. Moi aussi, je suis ravi.Thank you, Chloé. I am also delighted.
- ChloéÀ bientôt pour notre prochain rendez-vous.See you soon for our next appointment.
- GabrielOui, à très bientôt. Au revoir !Yes, see you very soon. Goodbye!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avoir, de, vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
