aangenaam
/ˈaːn.ɣəˌnaːm/
The Dutch phrase for "pleased to meet you" is aangenaam. Wiktionary also lists aangename kennismaking and aangenaam om met u kennis te maken.
Meaning: polite formula used when being introduced to somebody (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| aangenaam | /ˈaːn.ɣəˌnaːm/ |
| aangename kennismaking | |
| aangenaam om met u kennis te maken | /ˈaːn.ɣəˌnaːm ɔm mɛt y ˈkɛ.nɪs tə ˈmaːkə(n)/ (word by word) |
| aangenaam met u kennis te maken | /ˈaːn.ɣəˌnaːm mɛt y ˈkɛ.nɪs tə ˈmaːkə(n)/ (word by word) |
These phrases are used as polite formulas when being introduced to someone new.
What does it mean word for word?
The word aangenaam literally means "pleasant" or "agreeable".
Which one should you use?
While aangenaam is a standard short form, the longer version aangenaam met u kennis te maken uses u (the formal "you") to make the expression more formal and respectful.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase aangename kennismaking, the adjective aangenaam takes an -e ending because it modifies a de-word noun.
How do you pronounce it?
aangenaam is pronounced /ˈaːn.ɣəˌnaːm/. The first of the three syllables is stressed.
Did you know?
- The formal 'you' used in aangenaam met u kennis te maken likely evolved from the phrase uwe edelheid, meaning 'your nobility'.
- In Dutch culture, a firm handshake often accompanies the word aangenaam during a first introduction.
- While aangenaam means 'pleasant', using it alone as a greeting can feel very clipped or business-like depending on the tone.
Examples in context
- Aangenaam kennis te maken.Pleased to meet you.Tatoeba #384963 by Dorenda, translation #456635 by lukaszpp
- Aangenaam kennis te maken, mevrouw!Pleased to meet you, ma'am!Tatoeba #8801388 by Micsmithel, translation #9105684 by Lebensfreude
- Ik heet Kyril, aangenaam kennis te maken.My name's Cyril, pleased to meet you!Tatoeba #378789 by Dorenda, translation #514496 by blay_paul
- Aangenaam kennis te maken. Ik ben [Name].Pleased to meet you. I am [Name].
- Leuk je te ontmoeten! Mijn naam is [Name].Nice to meet you! My name is [Name].
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Sophie are introduced to each other at a party.
- LucasHoi Sophie, ik ben Lucas. Aangenaam!Hi Sophie, I am Lucas. Pleased to meet you!
- SophieHoi Lucas, aangenaam ook!Hi Lucas, pleased to meet you too!
- LucasWoon je hier in de stad?Do you live here in the city?
- SophieJa, ik woon hier al drie jaar.Yes, I have lived here for three years.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pleased to meet you” translations and entries aangenaam, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (aangenaam, om, met, u, kennis, te, maken) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aangenaam, kennis, kennismaking, met, om, te, u, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
