приятно познакомиться
priyatno poznakomit'sya
приятно познакомиться (priyatno poznakomit'sya) is the Russian way to say "nice to meet you".
This phrase is a polite expression used to greet someone for the first time after being introduced. You might also hear the shortened version Очень приятно, which literally means "very pleasant" and serves as a more concise alternative. To respond to someone saying this to you, a natural way to say "likewise" is to use the word взаимно.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb приятно, meaning "pleasant" or "nice" and the reflexive infinitive познакомиться, which means "to get acquainted" or "to meet". Together, they literally mean "it is pleasant to get acquainted".
How do you pronounce it?
priyatno poznakomit'sya
When do people say it?
In Russian culture, it is common to shake hands when saying приятно познакомиться for the first time.
Did you know?
- When shaking hands to say приятно познакомиться, never do so over a threshold or a doorway. In Russian culture, meeting someone across a threshold is considered bad luck and can cause conflict.
- The root of the verb in the phrase, знак, is also the Russian word for 'sign' or 'mark'. This connects the idea of 'acquaintance' to the idea of 'recognition' or 'marking' someone.
- In high-status or professional settings, a man typically waits for a woman to extend her hand first before saying приятно познакомиться.
Examples in context
- Приятно познакомиться!It's nice to meet you.This example shows the basic use of приятно познакомиться.Tatoeba #3431771 by Balamax, translation #64723 by CK
- "Привет, я Бен". – "Приятно познакомиться, Бен. А в чём же дело? Почему ты такой грустный и сердитый?""Hi there, I'm Ben." "Nice to meet you Ben. So, what is the matter? Why do you look sad and annoyed?"This example shows приятно познакомиться used within a conversational context.Tatoeba #10293901 by Selena777, translation #10290244 by jimkillock
- Меня зовут Кирилл. Приятно познакомиться.My name's Cyril. Nice to meet you.This example shows приятно познакомиться used after introducing oneself.Tatoeba #2287446 by krevedko, translation #1346838 by CN
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alexander and Olga meet for the first time at a professional seminar.
- Александр AleksandrЗдравствуйте, Ольга. Приятно познакомиться.Zdravstvuyte, Ol'ga. Priyatno poznakomit'sya.Hello, Olga. Nice to meet you.
- Ольга OlgaЗдравствуйте, Александр. Мне тоже приятно познакомиться.Zdravstvuyte, Aleksandr. Mne tozhe priyatno poznakomit'sya.Hello, Alexander. It is nice to meet you too.
- Александр AleksandrВы работаете в этой компании?Vy rabotayete v etoy kompanii?Do you work in this company?
- Ольга OlgaДа, я здесь менеджер.Da, ya zdes' menedzher.Yes, I am a manager here.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
