Nice to meet you in English: 20+ ways to introduce yourself and greet someone
Quick Answer
In English, “Nice to meet you” (/naɪs tə miːt juː/) is the most common phrase for a first meeting. The correct reply is: “Nice to meet you too!” (/naɪs tə miːt juː tuː/). More formal: “Pleased to meet you” (/pliːzd tə miːt juː/) or “It's a pleasure” (/ɪts ə ˈplɛʒər/). When you already know someone: “Nice to see you again” (/naɪs tə siː juː əˈɡɛn/).
The short answer
The most common English phrase for a first meeting is Nice to meet you (/naɪs tə miːt juː/), which literally means: “It’s nice to meet you.” This is the one sentence every English learner should master, and the right reply matters just as much: “Nice to meet you too!”
English is a global language used by about 1.5 billion people, including around 380 million native speakers, based on Ethnologue 2024 data. In English, the first-meeting ritual is fairly simple compared to Japanese or Korean. There are no complex politeness levels and no bowing, but there is one basic, critical difference that is not always obvious to learners.
“English introduction rituals have gradually simplified since the 1800s: the formerly mandatory formal protocol was replaced by an informal, direct tone, especially in American English. By the mid-20th century, Nice to meet you became the most universal formula for a first meeting.”
(David Crystal, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language, Cambridge University Press, 2019)
The most important difference to learn right away: In English, the verb meet refers only to a first meeting. The verb see is for meeting someone you already know again. If you already know someone and you say “Nice to meet you,” it sounds like you forgot them, and that can get awkward. You can read more about this trap in the meet vs. see section.
Quick overview
First-meeting phrases
Use these sentences ONLY when you meet someone for the FIRST time. According to Merriam-Webster, the verb meet in this context means “to become acquainted with someone for the first time,” a one-time event.
Nice to meet you!
//naɪs tə miːt juː//
Literal meaning: It's nice to meet you
“Hi, I'm Sarah! Nice to meet you.”
Hi, I'm Sarah! Nice to meet you.
The most common first-meeting formula across the English-speaking world. It sounds natural in the US, the UK, and Australia. People often say it while shaking hands, and it is almost expected when someone introduces you to someone else.
In the pronunciation of Nice to meet you, note that in fast, natural speech, “to” often sounds like /tə/, not /tuː/. So it is not “nice TO meet YOU,” but “nice tə meet you.” This weak form is completely normal in English.
A 2023 British Council English teaching report confirms that Nice to meet you is the most taught introduction phrase in English as a foreign language, and also one of the most used by native speakers.
💡 Handshakes in English-speaking cultures: when and how?
In English-speaking cultures, a first meeting almost always includes a handshake, and in business it is expected. A British handshake is usually shorter and looser, and an American one is firmer. Never initiate a cheek kiss or a hug at a first meeting in a business context. In close friend groups, physical closeness is more common, but with strangers, stick to a handshake.
Pleased to meet you
//pliːzd tə miːt juː//
Literal meaning: I'm pleased to meet you
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Thompson. I've heard great things about your work.”
Pleased to meet you, Mr. Thompson. I've heard great things about your work.
A bit more formal than 'Nice to meet you'. It fits best in business meetings, conferences, and when meeting important people. It is slightly more common in British English than in American English.
Pleased to meet you is a higher-register version of the standard introduction. If you know you are meeting someone important, a business partner, a potential boss, or someone whose work you know, this form shows you take the meeting seriously. Pronunciation: in “pleased,” the long /iː/ sound is like the vowel in “see.”
It's a pleasure to meet you
//ɪts ə ˈplɛʒər tə miːt juː//
Literal meaning: It's a pleasure to meet you
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Professor Williams. Your research has been very influential.”
It's a pleasure to meet you, Professor Williams. Your research has been very influential.
The most formal standard introduction sentence. It works especially well if you add why it is an honor: 'It's a pleasure to meet you, I've admired your work for years.'
People use this less in everyday life, but it sounds very polished at business conferences, professional events, or when you know someone’s reputation well. The shortened form, “It's a pleasure,” can also work as a complete reply.
How do you do? (British, formal)
//haʊ duː juː duː//
Literal meaning: How do you do?
“How do you do? I'm James Hartley, from the Oxford office.”
Nice to meet you. I'm James Hartley, from the Oxford office.
A traditional British formal introduction. CRITICAL RULE: the correct reply is NOT 'Fine, thanks', but the same phrase back: 'How do you do?' Today it can sound a bit old-fashioned to younger people, but it still appears in formal British and business contexts.
How do you do? can confuse English learners because it looks like a question, but it is actually a ritual introduction formula. If someone says “How do you do?” to you, the correct expected reply is to repeat the same sentence, not “Fine, thanks!” Peter Trudgill’s International English (Routledge, 2008) calls this a “mirroring formula,” a feature of the British formal register.
🌍 'How do you do?' vs 'How are you?', one is a ritual, the other is a greeting
The two sentences look similar, but they have completely different functions. “How do you do?” is only for a first meeting in a formal setting, and the reply is the same phrase back. “How are you?” is a general greeting, and people expect a short, positive answer: “Good, thanks!” or “Fine, you?” One is for a first meeting, the other is for any meeting.
Replies and return phrases
Knowing how to respond matters as much as starting. In English etiquette, you should always respond to an introduction, silence or a simple nod is not appropriate.
Nice to meet you too!
//naɪs tə miːt juː tuː//
Literal meaning: It's nice for me to meet you too
“Nice to meet you!, Nice to meet you too! I've heard a lot about you.”
Nice to meet you!, Nice to meet you too! I've heard a lot about you.
The most natural and common reply to 'Nice to meet you'. Stress the word 'too' at the end. That one word shows the feeling is mutual.
The word too usually gets strong stress at the end, and that makes it clear you return the sentiment. Native speakers almost always include it, and if you drop “too,” the sentence can feel unfinished.
The pleasure is mine
//ðə ˈplɛʒər ɪz maɪn//
Literal meaning: The pleasure is mine
“Pleased to meet you!, The pleasure is mine, absolutely.”
Pleased to meet you!, The pleasure is mine, absolutely.
An elegant, more formal reply. It shows you are especially glad to meet them. It sounds natural in business, at conferences, or when you are introduced to important people. The shorter 'My pleasure' also works.
The pleasure is mine sounds slightly elevated, but it is a natural English reply. It shows you recognize the importance of the meeting. The shortened My pleasure is also correct and feels a bit more relaxed.
Likewise
//ˈlaɪkwaɪz//
Literal meaning: Likewise
“It's great to meet you!, Likewise! I've been looking forward to this.”
It's great to meet you!, Likewise! I've been looking forward to this.
A simple one-word reply that works with any introduction formula. It is not too formal and not too casual. It sounds friendly and confident. It is great if you do not want to repeat the whole sentence.
Likewise is one of the most practical words in English. With one word, you show you feel the same. It sounds natural and polite, and it never feels strange. If you are unsure, it always works.
It's great to finally meet you
//ɪts ɡreɪt tə ˈfaɪnəli miːt juː//
Literal meaning: It's great to finally meet you
“It's great to finally meet you in person, we've been emailing for months!”
It's great to finally meet you in person, we've been emailing for months!
Use this when you have had prior contact, emails, social media, phone calls, but this is your first face-to-face meeting. The word 'finally' shows the relationship existed already, but the in-person meeting took time.
This is one of the warmest and most sincere introduction sentences in English. The word finally communicates that you have waited for this meeting. It has become especially common in remote work culture, where people work together for months on video calls and email before meeting in person.
When you meet again
Do not use these phrases at a first meeting. Use them only with people you already know. This is one of the most important distinctions in English.
Nice to see you (again)!
//naɪs tə siː juː (əˈɡɛn)//
Literal meaning: It's nice to see you (again)
“Nice to see you again, John! It's been a few months.”
Nice to see you again, John! It's been a few months.
The basic formula for seeing someone you know again. You can add or drop 'again', both sound natural. Important: never use this at a first meeting.
In English, the difference between nice to see you and nice to meet you is sharp and taken seriously. The verb see is for someone you already know. The verb meet is for getting to know someone for the first time. If you say “Nice to meet you” to someone you already know, it implies “as if we are meeting for the first time,” which suggests you forgot them.
Good to see you!
//ɡʊd tə siː juː//
Literal meaning: It's good to see you
“Good to see you! How have you been?”
Good to see you! How have you been?
A bit more relaxed than 'Nice to see you again'. It sounds natural with friends, coworkers, and old acquaintances. People often follow it with a question like 'How have you been?'
Good to see you! feels warmer and slightly more personal than the more formal Nice to see you. It works especially well if a long time has passed, for example at a work conference when you see someone you have not seen in six months.
Long time no see!
//lɒŋ taɪm nəʊ siː//
Literal meaning: Long time no see
“Hey, long time no see! What have you been up to?”
Hey, long time no see! What have you been up to?
A very friendly, informal formula. People say it when a long time has passed since the last meeting, at least a few months. The grammar is unusual, but it is known across the English-speaking world. Do not use it in business or formal contexts.
Long time no see! is one of the most interesting English expressions because it can look grammatically wrong. It has no verb. Still, it has existed in English for centuries, and people understand it across the English-speaking world. Use it only casually with friends, not with a boss or a business partner.
It's been a while!
//ɪts bɪn ə waɪl//
Literal meaning: It's been a while
“It's been a while! Are you still working at the same place?”
It's been a while! Are you still working at the same place?
Casual, but less extreme than 'Long time no see'. People say it after a gap of a few weeks or months. It sounds natural at friendly meetups or when old coworkers run into each other again.
Introducing yourself
It is not enough to know how to respond, you also need to know how to introduce yourself in English. In British and American culture, exchanging names is an essential part of a first meeting.
Hi, I'm...
//haɪ aɪm//
Literal meaning: Hi, I'm [name]
“Hi, I'm Emma. Nice to meet you!”
Hi, I'm Emma. Nice to meet you!
The most common and natural informal introduction. 'I'm' is the contraction of 'I am', fast, friendly, and direct. It is the default in almost any informal situation.
In English, unlike in Japanese or Korean culture, name exchange is quick and direct. There is no complex protocol. You say your name, you smile, and you might shake hands. Hi, I'm [name] is very flexible because it is simple, it works in both professional and social situations.
My name is...
//maɪ neɪm ɪz//
Literal meaning: My name is [name]
“My name is James Carter. I'm the new project manager.”
My name is James Carter. I'm the new project manager.
A bit more formal than 'Hi, I'm...'. It is common in business, professional, or educational contexts. It is especially useful when you add context with your name, like your role or company.
My name is is a fuller, more ceremonial form. It is a natural choice at the start of an email, a phone call, or when you introduce yourself at a professional event. In everyday life, native speakers prefer the shorter I'm.
💡 Add context to your name!
In English, it is especially effective to add a short piece of context to your name at a first meeting. Instead of only saying: “Hi, I'm Tom”, say: “Hi, I'm Tom, I work with Sarah in the marketing team.” This makes it easier for the other person to remember your name, and it opens the conversation right away.
Allow me to introduce myself
//əˈlaʊ miː tə ˌɪntrəˈdjuːs maɪˈsɛlf//
Literal meaning: Allow me to introduce myself
“Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Dr. Helen Foster, Head of Research.”
Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Dr. Helen Foster, Head of Research.
A higher, formal register. At conferences, business negotiations, or when you introduce yourself to a group, this formula signals professionalism. It would sound odd in an informal setting.
Introducing other people
You need to be able to introduce other people in English too. In English introduction culture, introducing a third person also follows clear formulas.
This is...
//ðɪs ɪz//
Literal meaning: This is [name]
“This is my colleague, Maria. She leads the design team.”
This is my colleague, Maria. She leads the design team.
The most universal way to introduce someone else. It works at any level of formality. It helps to add a short context: who the person is and how you know them.
When you introduce someone else in English, it is common to add a short detail: who they are to you, what they do, or how you know each other. This makes it easier for the newly introduced people to start talking.
Have you met...?
//hæv juː mɛt//
Literal meaning: Have you met [name]?
“Have you met David? He just joined our team last week.”
Have you met David? He just joined our team last week.
More useful than just 'This is...' because it opens the conversation as a question. If the answer is 'No, I haven't', you can introduce them right away. If it is 'Yes', it supports the meet-again ritual.
I'd like you to meet...
//aɪd laɪk juː tə miːt//
Literal meaning: I'd like you to meet [name]
“I'd like you to meet our new director, Mr. Chen.”
I'd like you to meet our new director, Mr. Chen.
A more formal introduction, especially useful when the introduction is intentional rather than spontaneous. It fits at a business dinner, a conference, or when you want to connect two people on purpose.
The meet vs. see trap
⚠️ The most common learner mistake: saying 'Nice to meet you' to someone you already know
This is one of the biggest and most awkward mistakes English learners can make. If you already know someone, even if you only met once before, and you say “Nice to meet you,” it suggests you completely forgot them. They may feel offended or uncomfortable. The only correct formulas with someone you know are: “Nice to see you (again)!” or “Good to see you!” Remember: meet = FIRST meeting, see = someone you already know.
The difference between English meet and see is not a small style choice. It is a basic grammatical and cultural rule. According to Ethnologue data, English keeps this distinction in almost all of the 59 countries where it has official status, so it is not regional, it is a general norm.
| Situation | Correct formula | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| You meet for the first time | Nice to meet you | Nice to see you |
| You meet someone you already know | Nice to see you (again) | Nice to meet you |
| After a long gap | Long time no see! | , |
| In person after email contact | It's great to finally meet you | , |
| Formal British first meeting | How do you do? | How are you? (this needs an answer!) |
Example introduction dialogue
A real dialogue teaches more than abstract rules. The scene below takes place at a business conference, from the first meeting to the end of the name exchange:
Alex: Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Alex, I work in the London office. (“Hi, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Alex, I work in the London office.”)
Maya: Oh, nice to meet you, Alex! I'm Maya. I'm here with the Berlin team. (“Oh, nice to meet you, Alex! I’m Maya. I’m here with the Berlin team.”)
Alex: Nice to meet you too! Have you met our project lead, David? He's been looking forward to connecting with the Berlin team. (“Nice to meet you too! Have you met our project lead, David? He’s been looking forward to connecting with the Berlin team.”)
Maya: Not yet, I haven't. I'd love to! (“Not yet, I haven’t. I’d love to!”)
Alex: David! I'd like you to meet Maya, from the Berlin office. (“David! I’d like you to meet Maya, from the Berlin office.”)
David: Maya, it's a pleasure to meet you! I've heard so much about the work you've been doing. (“Maya, it’s a pleasure to meet you! I’ve heard so much about the work you’ve been doing.”)
Maya: The pleasure is mine! I've been looking forward to this. (“The pleasure is mine! I’ve been looking forward to this.”)
This dialogue includes all the key formulas in a compact way: first meeting (nice to meet you), introducing a third person (I'd like you to meet), a more formal register (it's a pleasure, the pleasure is mine), and natural name exchange.
🌍 Same-name situations in English: remember the other person's name!
In English-speaking culture, it is especially important to remember the person’s name after a first meeting, and ideally repeat it soon. If someone says: “Hi, I'm Sarah,” and you immediately say: “Nice to meet you, Sarah!”, it creates a very positive impression. It shows you paid attention and you value the connection. In English-speaking business culture, people use this deliberately as a networking tool.
Practice with real English content
You learn English introductions best from real dialogues. First-meeting formulas, Nice to meet you, The pleasure is mine, It's great to finally meet you, appear constantly in British and American series and films, with natural pronunciation and body language.
The best movies to learn English page gives you a great starting point. Watch how characters introduce themselves in different situations, in a formal business meeting, at a friendly get-together, or on a romantic first meeting. Tone, handshakes, and eye contact all make the most sense in real context.
On the Wordy English learning page, you can watch films and series with interactive subtitles. If you click any introduction phrase, you instantly see pronunciation, formality level, and cultural notes. This way you learn phrases inside natural English dialogues, the same way native speakers learn them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say “örülök, hogy megismerhetlek” in English?
What should you reply to “Nice to meet you”?
What is the difference between “Nice to meet you” and “Nice to see you”?
How do you introduce yourself in English?
What is the difference between “Pleased to meet you” and “Nice to meet you”?
Sources & References
- Crystal, David (2019). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge University Press.
- British Council (2023). English Language Teaching: Global Research Report.
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2026). merriam-webster.com.
- Trudgill, Peter and Hannah, Jean (2008). International English. Routledge.
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