만나서 반가워요
mannaseo bangawoyo
In Korean, "nice to see you" is expressed as 만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo).
This phrase is used specifically when meeting someone for the first time.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb 만나다 (to meet) combined with the conjunction -서 (because/and) and the adjective 반갑다 (to be glad/happy), literally meaning "meeting (and) being glad."
Which one should you use?
While 만나서 반가워요 is a standard polite way to express this, 만나서 반갑습니다 is a more formal version used in professional contexts or when meeting someone of higher social status. Conversely, 반가워 is a shortened, casual version of the phrase.
How does it change in a sentence?
Dropping the -요 at the end of 만나서 반가워요 to say 만나서 반가워 changes the phrase from a polite level to a casual or informal level.
How do you pronounce it?
mannaseo bangawoyo
Did you know?
- If you meet someone again after a long time, you would not use 만나서 반가워요, but instead use 오랜만이에요, which focuses on the duration of the absence.
- In a professional greeting, it is customary to pair 만나서 반갑습니다 with a slight bow from the waist to show respect to the other person.
- The root 반갑다 describes a specific kind of happiness found only in welcoming someone or receiving long-awaited news, rather than general joy.
Examples in context
- 안녕! 반가워!Hey! Nice to see you!
- 만나서 반가워요.mannaseo bangawoyo.Nice to meet you.
- 처음 뵙겠습니다. 만나서 반가워요.cheoeum boepgetseumnida. mannaseo bangawoyo.It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time.
Example conversation
Jieun and Jihun are introduced to each other at a party.
- 지은 Ji-eun안녕하세요, 저는 지은이에요.annyeonghaseyo, jeoneun jieun-ieyo.Hello, I am Jieun.
- 지훈 Ji-hun안녕하세요, 지훈입니다. 만나서 반가워요.annyeonghaseyo, jihun-imnida. mannaseo bangawoyo.Hello, I am Jihun. Nice to meet you.
- 지은 Ji-eun저도 만나서 반가워요, 지훈 씨.jeodo mannaseo bangawoyo, jihun ssi.Nice to meet you too, Mr. Jihun.
- 지훈 Ji-hun여기서 만나서 정말 좋네요.yeogiseo mannaseo jeongmal jonneyo.It's really great to meet you here.
