muito prazer
/ˈmũj̃.tu pɾaˈzeʁ/word by word
muito prazer is the Portuguese way to say "nice to meet you".
This phrase is a polite expression used to greet someone for the first time.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase muito prazer literally translates to "much pleasure".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the informal phrase Legal te conhecer is commonly used and the formal version Muito prazer em conhecê-lo(a) is also common.
How does it change in a sentence?
While muito prazer is a common shorthand, the full grammatical way to express the sentiment is prazer em conhecê-lo when speaking to a man or prazer em conhecê-la when speaking to a woman.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈmũj̃.tu pɾaˈzeʁ/. It has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
When do people say it?
When someone says muito prazer to you, you can respond politely with O prazer é meu (The pleasure is mine) or simply Igualmente (Likewise/Equally).
Did you know?
- The word muito descends from the Proto-Indo-European root *ml̥tos, which originally meant 'crumbled' or 'crumpled'.
- Portuguese greetings like muito prazer often lead into a 'social dance' of modesty where both parties insist that the pleasure is entirely theirs using O prazer é meu.
- In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, a firm handshake or a light touch on the arm often accompanies muito prazer to signal warmth and sincerity.
Examples in context
- Muito prazer conhecê-lo David.Nice to meet you, David.This sentence shows how to use muito prazer when addressing someone by name.Tatoeba #8242217 by josivangoncalves, translation #8242263 by josivangoncalves
- Muito prazer. Como está o senhor?Nice to meet you. How are you doing?This example demonstrates using muito prazer followed by a polite question.Tatoeba #1088309 by alexmarcelo, translation #1346288 by marcelostockle
- Muito prazer conhecê-lo também, Sarah.Nice to meet you too, Sarah.This shows how to use muito prazer to express that the feeling is mutual.Tatoeba #8242220 by josivangoncalves, translation #8242267 by josivangoncalves
- É um prazer conhecer você. Espero que possamos trabalhar juntos.It is a pleasure to meet you. I hope we can work together.
- Muito prazer em conhecê-lo(a)! Espero que tenhamos uma boa colaboração.Very nice to meet you! I hope we have a good collaboration.
- Prazer em conhecê-lo(a). Soube muitas coisas positivas sobre você.Pleasure to meet you. I've heard many positive things about you.
- Legal te conhecer! Vamos tomar um café para nos conhecermos melhor.Nice to meet you! Let's grab a coffee to get to know each other better.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Lucas meet for the first time at a party.
- BeatrizOlá, eu sou a Beatriz. Muito prazer.Hello, I am Beatriz. Nice to meet you.
- LucasOi Beatriz, eu sou o Lucas. O prazer é meu.Hi Beatriz, I am Lucas. The pleasure is mine.
- BeatrizVocê é amigo do Pedro?Are you a friend of Pedro?
- LucasSim, somos colegas de trabalho.Yes, we are colleagues.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry muito prazer, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (muito, prazer) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries muito, prazer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
