What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 만나서, meaning "meeting (you)" or "having met" and 반갑습니다, meaning "to be glad" or "to be happy."
Which one should you use?
만나서 반갑습니다 is highly formal, while 만나서 반가워요 is a slightly less formal but still polite version used in everyday social situations. 만나서 반가워 is a casual form used only with people of the same age or younger in informal settings. Finally, 반가워 can be used on its own as a very informal and friendly way to say "pleasure to meet you."
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 반갑습니다 uses the formal polite style (-습니다), which makes it appropriate for first meetings in professional or respectful environments.
How do you pronounce it?
mannaseo ban'gapseumnida
When do people say it?
When someone greets you with this phrase, a common way to respond is to say 저도 반갑습니다, which means "I am also glad (to meet you)."
Did you know?
- When using the formal 만나서 반갑습니다, it is customary to avoid making intense, direct eye contact throughout the entire greeting. Looking slightly downward or at the person's neck area while bowing shows much greater respect.
- Korean has no single word for 'you' that is used comfortably in polite speech. Instead of using a pronoun, speakers often omit the word 'you' entirely or use the other person's job title or name.
- The root of the word 반갑다 (to be glad) implies a sense of relief or joy upon seeing someone you have been looking forward to seeing. It carries a warmth that goes beyond a simple formal greeting.
Examples in context
- 예은 씨, 만나서 반갑습니다.Pleasure to meet you, Yeeun.
- 현우 선생님, 처음 뵙겠습니다.Nice to meet you for the first time, Teacher Hyunwoo.
- 현지야, 만나서 반가워.Pleasure to meet you, Hyeonji.
- 우진, 널 만나서 좋았어.It was nice to meet you, Woojin.
- 만나서 반갑습니다.mannaseo bangapseumnida.Pleasure to meet you.
- 처음 뵙겠습니다. 만나서 반갑습니다.cheoeum boepgetseumnida. mannaseo bangapseumnida.Nice to meet you for the first time.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are meeting for the first time at a business networking event.
- 민준 Min-jun민준입니다. 만나서 반갑습니다.Minjun-imnida. mannaseo bangapseumnida.I am Minjun. Pleasure to meet you.
- 서연 Seo-yeon서연입니다. 저도 만나서 반갑습니다.Seoyeon-imnida. jeodo mannaseo bangapseumnida.I am Seoyeon. It is a pleasure to meet you too.
- 민준 Min-jun만나서 반갑습니다, 서연 씨.mannaseo bangapseumnida, Seoyeon ssi.It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Seoyeon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 반갑습니다.ne, bangapseumnida.Yes, nice to meet you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 만나서 반갑습니다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
