お会いできて光栄です
oaidekite kōei desu
The English phrase "pleasure to meet you" is translated into Japanese as お会いできて光栄です (oaidekite kōei desu).
This phrase is a formal expression used to convey that you are honored to meet someone for the first time.
Which one should you use?
While はじめまして (hajimemashite) is a common way to say "pleasure to meet you" in formal situations, you should use お会いできて光栄です specifically when you wish to express a high level of respect or professional deference, such as when meeting a client or a high-ranking official.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the phrase to the past tense to say "it was a pleasure to meet you", change the ending to oaidekite kōei deshita.
How do you pronounce it?
oaidekite kōei desu
When do people say it?
In Japanese introductions, you can use よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegaishimasu) to express goodwill and establish a positive relationship. To intensify the warmth and friendliness during an introduction, you can add どうぞよろしく (douzo yoroshiku).
Did you know?
- In extremely formal business contexts, you might see the phrase お目にかかれて光栄です (ome ni kakarete kōei desu) instead. This uses a 'humble' verb that literally describes the act of 'falling into someone's sight'.
- While English speakers often maintain eye contact while saying 'pleasure to meet you', doing so while bowing during お会いできて光栄です can be seen as aggressive or unnatural.
- If you use お会いできて光栄です with someone of equal or lower status, you might accidentally sound incredibly sarcastic or mockingly grand due to the extreme level of politeness.
Examples in context
- お会いできて光栄です。Oai dekite kouei desu.It is an honor to meet you.
- やっとお会いできて光栄です。Yatto oai dekite kouei desu.It is an honor to finally meet you.
- 直接お会いできて光栄です。Chokusetsu oai dekite kouei desu.It is an honor to meet you in person.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are meeting for the first time at a business conference.
- 結衣 Yuiはじめまして、結衣です。Hajimemashite, Yui desu.Nice to meet you, I am Yui.
- 健太 Kenta健太です。お会いできて光栄です。Kenta desu. O-ai dekite kōei desu.I am Kenta. It is an honor to meet you.
- 結衣 Yuiこちらこそ、光栄です。Kochira koso, kōei desu.The honor is mine.
- 健太 Kentaよろしくお願いします。Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.I look forward to working with you.
