Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 반갑습니다 | ban'gapseumnida | ||
| 만나서 반갑습니다 | mannaseo ban'gapseumnida | [ma̠nna̠sʰʌ̹ pa̠nɡa̠ps͈ɯmnida̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 처음 뵙겠습니다 | cheo'eum boepgetseumnida | [t͡ɕʰʌ̹ɯm pwe̞(ː)p̚k͈e̞ss͈ɯmnida̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [t͡ɕʰʌ̹ɯm pø̞(ː)p̚k͈e̞ss͈ɯmnida̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
formal |
| 반가워요 | ban'gawoyo | informal | |
| 잘 부탁드립니다 | jal butakdeurimnida |
These phrases are polite formulas used when being introduced to someone. While most forms express the feeling of being glad or the honor of a first meeting, it is common in many formal introductions to follow your greeting with 잘 부탁드립니다, which translates to "Please look after me" or "I look forward to your favor".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 만나서 반갑습니다 literally breaks down to "meeting (mannaseo) + am glad (ban'gapseumnida)". The phrase 처음 뵙겠습니다 literally means "I will see/meet you for the first time".
Which one should you use?
반갑습니다 focuses on the feeling of being glad, whereas 처음 뵙겠습니다 is a more formal, standard way to initiate a first-time meeting. 만나서 반갑습니다 specifically means "I am happy to meet you" and is suitable for almost all formal situations.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
처음 뵙겠습니다 is a formal expression. 반가워요 is considered an informal expression used among friends and peers.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 만나서 반갑습니다, the suffix -서 in 만나서 functions as a causal connector, meaning "because I met you" or "upon meeting you".
How do you pronounce it?
ban'gapseumnida
When do people say it?
In many formal introductions, Koreans often follow their greeting with 잘 부탁드립니다 to express that they look forward to the other person's favor or to ask them to look after them.
Did you know?
- The verb 뵙다 in 처음 뵙겠습니다 is a 'humble' version of the verb 'to see', which lowers the speaker's status to elevate the person they are meeting.
- The phrasing of 잘 부탁드립니다 is so culturally significant that it is often used when joining a new team, starting a school year or entering a new club.
- In very formal introductions, a person might use 처음 뵙겠습니다 while bowing, as the physical gesture and the high-level honorific language work together to show respect.
Examples in context
- 내 이름은 시릴이에요, 만나서 반가워요.My name's Cyril, pleased to meet you!This example shows how to introduce yourself and use the informal 반가워요.Tatoeba #4965447 by rainbow4us, translation #514496 by blay_paul
- 처음 뵙겠습니다.Pleased to meet you.This example shows a way to use the formal 처음 뵙겠습니다.Tatoeba #13117524 by atitarev, translation #456635 by lukaszpp
- 안녕하세요. 만나서 반갑습니다.Hello. Pleased to meet you.
- 저도 반갑습니다.Nice to meet you too.
- 만나서 정말 반갑습니다.mannaseo jeongmal bangapseumnida.I am truly pleased to meet you.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are introduced at a networking event.
- 민준 Min-jun안녕하세요, 저는 민준입니다.annyeonghaseyo, jeoneun minjun-imnida.Hello, I am Minjun.
- 서연 Seo-yeon반갑습니다, 서연이라고 해요.bangapsumnida, seoyeon-irago haeyo.Pleased to meet you, I'm called Seoyeon.
- 민준 Min-jun이야기 많이 들었습니다.iyagi mani deureotseumnida.I have heard a lot about you.
- 서연 Seo-yeon감사합니다. 잘 부탁드립니다.gamsahamnida. jal butakdeurimnida.Thank you. I look forward to working with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pleased to meet you” translations and entries 만나서 반갑습니다, 처음 뵙겠습니다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
