χάρηκα
charika
Nice to meet you in Greek is expressed as χάρηκα (charika).
The phrase is a polite expression used to show you are pleased to have met someone for the first time. While the complete phrase is Χάρηκα για τη γνωριμία, it is very common and natural to use the single word χάρηκα as a standalone greeting when meeting someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The word χάρηκα is the first-person singular past tense of the verb χαίρω, which means I was glad or I rejoiced. In the full phrase Χάρηκα για τη γνωριμία, the part για τη γνωριμία literally translates to for the acquaintance.
Which one should you use?
Πολύ χάρηκα means Very nice to meet you and serves as a slightly more polite version of χάρηκα.
How do you pronounce it?
charika
When do people say it?
To respond to someone by saying Nice to meet you too, you can add επίσης (also) to the end of the phrase: Χάρηκα επίσης.
Did you know?
- The word χάρηκα is an ancestor of the English word 'charity'. Both derive from the ancient Greek root for love and grace.
- The root of χάρηκα is the same as the Greek word χάρις, which means 'grace' or 'charm'. This connects the feeling of being pleased to meet someone with the concept of divine or aesthetic grace.
- When saying χάρηκα in person, Greeks often accompany the phrase with a slight nod or a firm handshake, but rarely a hug unless the introduction is facilitated by a very close mutual friend.
Examples in context
- Χάρηκα για τη γνωριμία.Nice to meet you.This sentence shows how to use χάρηκα in a complete phrase.Tatoeba #2950427 by glavkos, translation #499617 by Shishir
- Χάρηκα που σε γνώρισα.Charika pou se gnorisa.I'm glad I met you.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Georgos meet for the first time at a friend's house.
- Μαρία MariaΓεια σου, είμαι η Μαρία.Geia sou, eimai i Maria.Hi, I am Maria.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΧάρηκα, είμαι ο Γιώργος.Charika, eimai o Giorgos.Nice to meet you, I am Georgos.
- Μαρία MariaΧάρηκα πολύ για τη γνωριμία.Charika poli gia ti gnorimia.I'm very glad to meet you.
- Γιώργος GiorgosΕπίσης, Μαρία.Episis, Maria.Likewise, Maria.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
