Freut mich
The English phrase "nice to meet you" is translated into German as Freut mich.
Freut mich is a standard, polite way to respond immediately after being introduced to someone. Other ways to express this sentiment include the formal Angenehm!, which translates to "Pleasant!" or the informal Schön, dich kennenzulernen.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Freut mich literally means "it pleases me", where freut is the third-person singular form of freuen (to please/joy).
Which one should you use?
While Freut mich is a common elliptical shortening, the full version starting with Es freut mich… is more grammatically complete.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the formal Sie (you), the full phrase is Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen. When using the informal dich (you), the full phrase is Freut mich, dich kennenzulernen.
Did you know?
- In very formal settings, instead of saying Freut mich, you might simply say Ganz meinerseits, which translates to 'Entirely mine side' to mean 'The pleasure is mine'.
- While Freut mich is polite, using the one-word formal version Angenehm! can sometimes feel overly stiff or old-fashioned to younger Germans, resembling a greeting from a 19th-century novel.
- The word mich descends from the Proto-Indo-European root me, making it a direct ancient relative of the English word 'me'.
Examples in context
- Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.It was nice to meet you.This sentence shows a formal way to express "It was nice to meet you."Tatoeba #903532 by Sudajaengi, translation #1119432 by daywo
- Es freut mich sehr, dich kennenzulernen!It's so nice to meet you.Tatoeba #7716713 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5679614 by Hybrid
- Es freut mich, dich kennenzulernen, David!Nice to meet you, David.Tatoeba #13695663 by Waldelfe, translation #8242263 by josivangoncalves
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Felix meet for the first time at a party.
- SarahHallo, ich bin Sarah.Hello, I am Sarah.
- FelixFreut mich, Sarah. Ich bin Felix.Nice to meet you, Sarah. I am Felix.
- SarahSchön, dich auch kennenzulernen.Nice to meet you too.
- FelixWillkommen auf meiner Party!Welcome to my party!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
