很高兴再次见到你
hěn gāoxìng zàicì jiàndào nǐ
The English phrase "nice to see you again" is translated into Chinese as 很高兴再次见到你 (hěn gāoxìng zàicì jiàndào nǐ).
This phrase is used specifically when you have a prior acquaintance with the person, rather than meeting them for the first time.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down literally as 'very happy again see-meet you'.
Which one should you use?
If you remove 再次 from the phrase, the meaning changes from 'nice to see you again' to a general 'nice to see you' (很高兴见到你).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase more respectful when addressing elders or superiors, replace the final 你 (nǐ) with 您 (nín).
How do you pronounce it?
hěn gāoxìng zàicì jiàndào nǐ
Did you know?
- The English phrase 'long time no see' is actually a literal translation (calque) of the Chinese 好久不见 and became part of English through contact with Chinese speakers.
- In many Chinese social circles, instead of saying 'it is nice to see you', people often express the same sentiment by commenting on how much the person has changed or looks well.
- The word 见 (jiàn) in the phrase comes from a character that originally depicted an eye (目) and a person (人), visually representing the act of seeing someone.
Examples in context
- 很高兴再次见到您，张先生。Nice to see you again, Mr. Zhang.
- 很高兴再次见到你。Hěn gāoxìng zàicì jiàndào nǐ.It is nice to see you again.
- 老朋友，很高兴再次见到你。Lǎo péngyǒu, hěn gāoxìng zàicì jiàndào nǐ.Old friend, it is nice to see you again.
- 很高兴再次见到你，你最近怎么样？Hěn gāoxìng zàicì jiàndào nǐ, nǐ zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?It is nice to see you again, how have you been lately?
Example conversation
Two former colleagues meet at a coffee shop.
- 佳怡 Jiayi志强，很高兴再次见到你。Zhìqiáng, hěn gāoxìng zàicì jiàndào nǐ.Zhiqiang, it is nice to see you again.
- 志强 Zhiqiang佳怡，我也很高兴再次见到你。Jiāyí, wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng zàicì jiàndào nǐ.Jiayi, it is nice to see you again too.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你最近工作忙吗？Nǐ zuìjìn gōngzuò máng ma?Are you busy with work lately?
- 志强 Zhiqiang还是和以前一样忙。Háishì hé yǐqián yīyàng máng.I am busy, just like before.
