만나서 반갑습니다
mannaseo ban'gapseumnida[ma̠nna̠sʰʌ̹ pa̠nɡa̠ps͈ɯmnida̠]
In Korean, the phrase for "nice meeting you" is 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo ban'gapseumnida).
This phrase is a polite expression used to say you are pleased to meet someone for the first time. The full phrase 만나서 반갑습니다 adds the emphasis that it is because you met.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 만나서 (meeting/having met) and 반갑습니다 (am glad/happy).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
반갑습니다 is a standard and common way to say nice meeting you in formal Korean. For a slightly less formal but still polite version, you can use 만나서 반가워요. If you are in a casual setting with people of the same age or younger, you may use the informal form 만나서 반가워 or the simple version 반가워.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 만나서 반가워요 is a slightly less formal but still polite version of the default form.
How do you pronounce it?
mannaseo ban'gapseumnida
When do people say it?
A common response to this phrase is 저도 반갑습니다, which means "I am also glad (to meet you)."
Did you know?
- While English speakers say 'Nice meeting you' at the end of a conversation, Koreans often use 만나서 반갑습니다 specifically at the very beginning of the encounter.
- When using the formal 만나서 반갑습니다, it is customary to perform a slight bow toward the person you are meeting to show respect.
- The root word 반갑다 describes a specific kind of joy that comes from longing for someone or welcoming a long-awaited person.
Examples in context
- 만나서 반갑습니다.mannaseo bangapseumnida.Nice meeting you.
- 처음 뵙겠습니다. 만나서 반갑습니다.cheoeum boepgetseumnida. mannaseo bangapseumnida.Nice to meet you for the first time.
- 만나서 반갑습니다, 선생님.mannaseo bangapseumnida, seonsaengnim.Nice meeting you, teacher.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Seoyeon are introduced to each other at a party.
- 도현 Do-hyeon안녕하세요, 도현입니다. 만나서 반갑습니다.annyeonghaseyo, dohyun-imnida. mannaseo bangapsumnida.Hello, I am Dohyun. Nice meeting you.
- 서연 Seo-yeon안녕하세요, 도현 씨. 저도 만나서 반갑습니다.annyeonghaseyo, dohyun ssi. jeodo mannaseo bangapsumnida.Hello, Dohyun. Nice meeting you too.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연 씨, 여기서 뵙게 되어 좋네요.seoyeon ssi, yeogiseo boepge doeeo jonneyo.Seoyeon, it is good to see you here.
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 저도 정말 반가워요.ne, jeodo jeongmal bangawoyo.Yes, I am really glad to meet you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 만나서 반갑습니다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
