Common Expression for “Nice to Meet You” in French
The most common way to say nice to meet you in French is Enchanté (if you’re male) or Enchantée (if you’re female — with an extra e at the end). It literally means delighted and is widely used in everyday introductions.
Enchanté(e) is simple, polite, and fits almost any setting: from casual meetups to formal encounters. If you’re unsure how to say nice to meet you in French language without sounding too stiff or too casual, this is your go-to. For example,
Enchanté, moi c’est Marc. (Nice to meet you, I’m Marc.)
Informal Expressions for saying Nice to Meet You in French
1. “Salut, enchanté(e)”
This is one of the most relaxed ways to say nice to meet you in French, and also one of the most common in everyday conversations. By combining a casual salut with enchanté(e), it strikes a friendly tone right from the start.
You’ll often hear it:
- At informal gatherings or social events
- Between classmates, colleagues, or peers
- In spontaneous first-time conversations
For example:
Salut, enchanté! Moi c’est Hugo. (Hi, nice to meet you! I’m Hugo.)
2. “Ravi(e) de te rencontrer”
Slightly more expressive than enchanté, this phrase translates to “happy to meet you.” It still feels natural, but adds a touch of sincerity, especially when you’re genuinely glad to connect.
You’d typically use ravi(e) de te rencontrer when:
- You’ve heard about the person beforehand
- You want to sound a bit warmer or more personal
- The context is casual but still respectful
Example:
Ravie de te rencontrer, on m’a beaucoup parlé de toi. (Nice to meet you, I’ve heard a lot about you.)
Keep in mind: Ravi(e) changes with gender — add e if you’re female. The use of te also signals informality. In formal settings, switch to ravi(e) de faire votre connaissance — we’ll explore that option in the next section.
3. “Content(e) de te rencontrer”
This phrase means “glad to meet you” and offers a softer, more neutral alternative to ravi(e). It’s still informal, thanks to the use of te, and feels genuine without sounding overly expressive.
You might choose Content(e) de te rencontrer when:
- You’re meeting someone for the first time in a casual setting
- You want to keep it friendly, but not too enthusiastic
- You prefer simpler, more understated language
Example:
Content de te rencontrer, j’ai entendu que tu bossais avec Julie. (Glad to meet you — I heard you work with Julie.)
4. “On se connaît pas encore, moi c’est…”
While not a direct translation of nice to meet you in French, this is a phrase you’ll often hear in real-life French, especially among younger people. It means “we don’t know each other yet, I’m…” and acts as a casual self-introduction.
Example:
On se connaît pas encore, moi c’est Mehdi. (We haven’t met yet — I’m Mehdi.)
This kind of phrase reflects how French is spoken in the real world: more about connection than correctness. If your goal is real-world fluency, expressions like this are essential.
Formal Expressions for saying Nice to Meet You in French
1. “C’est un plaisir de vous rencontrer”
This phrase is one of the most professional ways to say nice to meet you in French. It means “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” and is widely used in business settings, interviews, or any formal context where first impressions matter.
What makes it so versatile is its tone: respectful, but still conversational. You can use it when meeting clients, attending conferences, or greeting someone senior for the first time.
Example:
Je suis honoré de faire votre connaissance, Madame la Ministre. (I’m honored to meet you, Minister.)
2. “Ravi(e) de faire votre connaissance”
This expression goes a step further in formality. It translates to “I’m honored to make your acquaintance” and is appropriate when meeting someone with status, authority, or importance, for example, in diplomatic, academic, or ceremonial settings.
Use it when:
- Meeting a public official or senior executive
- Attending a formal reception or official function
- You want to express humility and courtesy
Example:
Je vous remercie pour cette rencontre enrichissante. (Thank you for this insightful meeting.)
3. “Je suis honoré(e) de faire votre connaissance”
There are moments when polite isn’t enough; you need to express genuine honor or deference. That’s when Je suis honoré(e) de faire votre connaissance becomes appropriate. It translates as “I’m honored to make your acquaintance”.
Appropriate for:
- Meeting a high-ranking official or a respected figure
- Ceremonial introductions (e.g., academic or diplomatic events)
- Speeches, formal letters, or press interactions
Example:
Je suis honoré de faire votre connaissance, Professeur Martin. (I’m honored to meet you, Professor Martin.)
4. “Je vous remercie pour cette rencontre”
Not every “nice to meet you” happens in the moment. Sometimes, it comes later, in a thoughtful follow-up or parting remark. Je vous remercie pour cette rencontre is how French speakers show appreciation after a formal exchange.
You’ll often find it:
- In professional emails
- At the end of an interview or formal event
- As a courteous close to a meaningful conversation
Example:
Je vous remercie pour cette rencontre, c’était un vrai plaisir d’échanger avec vous. (Thank you for this meeting — it was a real pleasure speaking with you.)
Which One Should You Use?
You should use the table below as a quick guide to know how to say nice meeting you in French with confidence and precision:
| Expression | When to Use | Formality |
| Enchanté(e) | Every day use, default polite expression | Neutral |
| Salut, enchanté(e) | Casual intros with friends, classmates, or peers | Informal |
| Ravi(e) de te rencontrer | Warm, friendly first meetings with someone you’ve heard about | Informal |
| Content(e) de te rencontrer | Low-key, relaxed introductions with a light tone | Informal |
| On se connaît pas encore, moi c’est… | Very casual, spontaneous introductions | Informal |
| C’est un plaisir de vous rencontrer | Business settings, professional contexts | Formal |
| Ravi(e) de faire votre connaissance | Polished, respectful — useful in formal but warm settings | Formal |
| Je suis honoré(e) de faire votre connaissance | Ceremonial or highly respectful encounters | Very Formal |
| Je vous remercie pour cette rencontre | After the meeting, in follow-ups or emails | Formal Closure |
After knowing how to say nice to meet you in French, it’s just as useful to learn how to say bye in French — so you can close conversations as smoothly as you start them.
Final Thoughts
French offers more than one way to say nice to meet you, and each one carries its own tone. Use Enchanté for safe, polite conversations, or go formal with C’est un plaisir de vous rencontrer when the context calls for it.
For more practical ways to learn French, explore Gurulango. It’s where you’ll truly learn how to say nice meeting you in French the way native speakers do.
