очень приятно
ochen' priyatno
The Russian phrase for 'very nice' is очень приятно (ochen' priyatno).
While очень приятно can literally mean 'very nice', it is most commonly used as a polite expression during introductions to mean 'nice to meet you'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the context of 'it is very nice', the word приятно is an impersonal adverb. This means it does not change its form based on the gender of the person you are speaking to.
How do you pronounce it?
ochen' priyatno
When do people say it?
When someone uses очень приятно to say they are pleased to meet you, a common and polite way to respond is to say взаимно, which means 'likewise'.
Did you know?
- Some linguists suggest that the word очень might be related to the word for 'eye', око, implying that something is 'very' because it is 'clearly' or 'visibly' apparent.
- While очень приятно is the standard polite introduction, using it without a handshake in a formal Russian business setting can sometimes feel incomplete or overly distant.
- The word очень belongs to a small group of archaic adverbs ending in a hard sign, similar to впрямь or встарь, which are rarely formed in modern Russian.
Examples in context
- Это очень приятное чувство.It's a very nice feeling.The first sentence uses очень приятно to describe a feeling.Tatoeba #4907061 by Karok, translation #4904932 by CK
- Было очень приятно слышать это.It was very nice to hear that.The second sentence uses очень приятно to describe the experience of hearing something.Tatoeba #5727114 by Balamax, translation #4181277 by CansuVarol
- Этот цветок очень приятно пахнет.This flower smells very nice.The third sentence uses очень приятно to describe a pleasant scent.Tatoeba #6973730 by fjay69, translation #11663534 by ddnktr
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Aleksandr are meeting at a business conference.
- Екатерина EkaterinaЗдравствуйте, меня зовут Екатерина.Zdravstvuyte, menya zovut Ekaterina.Hello, my name is Ekaterina.
- Александр AleksandrОчень приятно, Екатерина. Я Александр.Ochen' priyatno, Ekaterina. Ya Aleksandr.Very nice to meet you, Ekaterina. I am Aleksandr.
- Екатерина EkaterinaВзаимно, Александр.Vzaimno, Aleksandr.Likewise, Aleksandr.
- Александр AleksandrРад нашему знакомству.Rad nashemu znakomstvu.I am glad to meet you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries очень, очень приятно, приятно, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
