gaman að kynnast þér
The Icelandic phrase for "nice to meet you" is gaman að kynnast þér.
gaman að kynnast þér is a polite expression used specifically when you are being introduced to someone for the first time. You should not use this phrase when seeing an old acquaintance or someone you have met before.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "fun to get to know you".
Did you know?
- In modern Icelandic, the use of þér is rare and usually reserved for very formal contexts or elderly people.
- The word gaman in this phrase is a direct linguistic relative of the English word 'game'.
- Icelandic uses the reflexive suffix -st in kynnast to indicate a mutual action.
Examples in context
- Mikið gaman að kynnast þér!Nice to meet you!
- Það var gaman að kynnast þér.It was nice to meet you.
- Söm og sama, gaman að kynnast þér.Likewise, nice to meet you.
Example conversation
Ólafur and Sigríður are introduced to each other at a party.
- ÓlafurHæ Sigríður, ég heiti Ólafur.Hi Sigríður, my name is Ólafur.
- SigríðurSæl Ólafur, gaman að kynnast þér.Hello Ólafur, nice to meet you.
- ÓlafurGaman að kynnast þér líka.Nice to meet you too.
- SigríðurHvar ertu frá?Where are you from?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries að, gaman, kynnast, þér, CC BY-SA 4.0.
