وأنا أيضاً تشرفت بمعرفتك
wa-ʾanā ʾayḍan tasharraftu bi-maʿrifatik
The English phrase "nice to meet you too" can be said in Arabic as وأنا أيضاً تشرفت بمعرفتك (wa-ʾanā ʾayḍan tasharraftu bi-maʿrifatik).
This phrase is a polite response used to return the sentiment after someone says it is a pleasure to meet you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase وأنا أيضاً تشرفت بمعرفتك literally translates to "and I also was honored by your acquaintance".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase starts with وأنا أيضاً (wa-ʾanā ʾayḍan) which functions as "and I too" to return the sentiment.
How do you pronounce it?
wa-ʾanā ʾayḍan tasharraftu bi-maʿrifatik
Did you know?
- In many Arabic cultures, speakers place their right hand over their heart after shaking hands while saying وأنا أيضاً تشرفت بمعرفتك. This gesture signals that the sentiment of being honored is sincere and comes from the heart.
- In some regions, the response to 'nice to meet you' is not a return of the sentiment but a religious blessing. A speaker might say 'may God make your life happy' instead of the standard response.
- Using the plural 'you' in تشرّفتُ بلقائكم when speaking to one person is a method of showing extreme respect. This linguistic shift is reserved for people of very high social or professional standing.
Examples in context
- وأنا أيضاً تشرفت بمعرفتك.wa ana ayḍan tasharraftu bi-ma‘rifatik.And I am also honored to meet you.
- أهلاً بك، وأنا أيضاً تشرفت بمعرفتك.ahlan bika, wa ana ayḍan tasharraftu bi-ma‘rifatik.Welcome, and I am also honored to meet you too.
- شكراً، وأنا أيضاً تشرفت بمعرفتك.shukran, wa ana ayḍan tasharraftu bi-ma‘rifatik.Thank you, and I am also honored to meet you too.
Example conversation
Sara and Omar meet for the first time at a networking event.
- سارة Saraتشرفت بمعرفتك يا عمر.tasharraftu bi-ma‘rifatika ya Omar.It is a pleasure to meet you, Omar.
- عمر Omarوأنا أيضاً تشرفت بمعرفتك يا سارة.wa ana ayḍan tasharraftu bi-ma‘rifatiki ya Sara.And I am also honored to meet you too, Sara.
- سارة Saraهل تعمل في هذا المجال؟hal ta‘malu fī hadhā al-majāl?Do you work in this field?
- عمر Omarنعم، منذ خمس سنوات.na‘am, mundhu khams sanawāt.Yes, for five years.
