How to Say Nice to Meet You in French: 15+ Introduction Phrases

The Short Answer

The most common way to say nice to meet you in French is Enchanté (ahn-shahn-TAY). It literally means "enchanted" or "charmed," a charmingly romantic way to acknowledge a first meeting that captures the elegance French is famous for. In more formal contexts, Ravi(e) de faire votre connaissance is the polished gold standard.

French is spoken by approximately 321 million people across 29 countries, according to the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. Whether you are shaking hands in a Parisian boardroom, exchanging la bise at a dinner party in Lyon, or greeting a new neighbor in Montréal, knowing the right introduction phrase signals cultural awareness and earns immediate goodwill.

"Politeness in French is not mere decoration; it is the structural foundation of social interaction. The choice between tu and vous, the form of greeting, the physical gesture: each carries meaning that native speakers read instantly."

(Brown & Levinson, Politeness: Some Universals in Language Usage, Cambridge University Press)

This guide covers 15+ ways to say nice to meet you in French, organized by formality: standard, formal, casual, and regional variations. Each phrase includes pronunciation, a real-world example, and the cultural context you need to use it correctly.

Quick Reference: French Introduction Phrases at a Glance

The Standard Introduction

These are the phrases every French speaker reaches for in first meetings. According to the Académie française, Enchanté has been the default introduction greeting since at least the 18th century.

Enchanté / Enchantée

Enchanté is the cornerstone of French introductions. The word literally means "enchanted," as if meeting this person has cast a spell on you. That romantic undertone is quintessentially French and speaks to a culture that treats social interaction as an art form.

The gender rule is simple: the ending agrees with the speaker, not the person being addressed. A man always writes and says Enchanté. A woman writes Enchantée (with the extra "e"), though both sound exactly the same. In spoken conversation, this distinction is invisible.

A typical first-meeting exchange looks like this: Bonjour, je m'appelle Marie. Enchantée. / Enchanté, Marie. Moi, c'est Pierre.

C'est un plaisir

C'est un plaisir sits between Enchanté and the more formal options. It works well when the meeting feels meaningful: you have been exchanging emails, a mutual friend connected you, or you admire the person's work. The extended form C'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer ("It's a pleasure to meet you") adds a touch of warmth.

De même

When someone says Enchanté to you, De même is the most natural response. It means "likewise" and avoids the awkwardness of two people saying Enchanté back and forth (though that is also perfectly acceptable). Other common responses include Moi de même ("me likewise") and simply echoing Enchanté(e) back.

Formal Introduction Phrases

These phrases are reserved for business meetings, diplomatic settings, academic introductions, and any situation where you want to convey particular respect. The Alliance Française notes that mastering formal registers is essential for professional success in francophone environments.

Ravi(e) de faire votre connaissance

This is the phrase to reach for when Enchanté feels too casual. Ravi(e) de faire votre connaissance translates literally as "delighted to make your acquaintance" and carries a level of polish appropriate for CEOs, ambassadors, professors, and formal networking events.

Like Enchanté, the gender agreement follows the speaker: Ravi for men, Ravie for women. The pronunciation difference is subtle: Ravie has a slightly longer final vowel, but in practice the two sound nearly identical.

Heureux / Heureuse de vous connaître

Unlike Enchanté and Ravi(e), where the gender difference is invisible in speech, Heureux and Heureuse sound distinctly different. The masculine heureux (uh-RUH) drops the final consonant, while the feminine heureuse (uh-RUHZ) voices the final "z" sound. This is one case where gender is audible.

Permettez-moi de me présenter

This is how you open a formal self-introduction. It signals deference and professionalism. At conferences and business events, the full pattern is: Permettez-moi de me présenter + name + title or affiliation. It immediately establishes a polished, professional tone.

J'ai beaucoup entendu parler de vous

This phrase transforms a routine introduction into a compliment. It tells the other person their reputation precedes them. Use it genuinely, because French speakers can detect hollow flattery. Pair it with a specific reference when possible: J'ai beaucoup entendu parler de votre travail sur... ("I've heard a lot about your work on...").

Casual Introduction Phrases

Among younger people and in relaxed social settings, French introductions shed much of their formality. These phrases are for parties, friend-of-a-friend meetings, and informal gatherings.

Moi, c'est...

While textbooks teach Je m'appelle ("My name is"), casual French speakers far more often say Moi, c'est... followed by their first name. It feels natural and unforced, like saying "I'm..." in English rather than "My name is..."

Content(e) de te connaître

This is the tu-form equivalent of Ravi(e) de vous connaître. The shift from vous to te signals that the social distance has already been eliminated: you are meeting through mutual friends, at a party, or in a context where formality would feel out of place.

Moi aussi

The most laid-back response to someone's Enchanté. While De même works at all formality levels, Moi aussi signals you are keeping things casual. It works best in social settings where the overall tone is already relaxed.

Introducing Others

In French social culture, introducing people who do not know each other is not just polite; it is expected. Failing to introduce your companion to someone you greet is a notable social error.

Je vous présente...

In French etiquette, you introduce the person of lower status to the person of higher status, the younger to the older, and the man to the woman (in traditional settings). The formula is: address the higher-status person, then say Je vous présente + the other person's name and context.

Je te présente...

Among friends, Je te présente is the natural way to introduce people. Adding context helps the conversation flow: Je te présente Léa, on s'est connues à la fac ("This is Léa, we met at university"). This gives both parties something to talk about immediately.

How to Respond to French Introductions

Knowing what to say when someone introduces themselves is just as important as initiating.

La Bise: The Physical Side of French Introductions

French introductions are not just verbal; they often involve physical greetings that vary dramatically by region. According to Ethnologue and cultural research data, the practice of la bise (cheek kisses) is one of the most regionally diverse customs in the francophone world.

In professional settings across all regions, la bise is typically replaced by a firm handshake. The COVID-19 pandemic also shifted norms: a wave, elbow bump, or simple Bonjour with a nod has become more common in many settings.

Québec vs. France: Introduction Differences

While the core vocabulary is the same, the cultural norms around introductions differ noticeably between Metropolitan France and Québec.

Québécois French speakers tend to drop the formal register more quickly. Where a Parisian might maintain vous for weeks with a new acquaintance, a Montréaler might suggest tu after a single meeting. This reflects broader cultural differences: Québec society, influenced by North American norms, generally favors directness and warmth over the structured formality characteristic of Metropolitan France.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These are the errors that most French learners make during introductions.

Skipping Bonjour. In France, every interaction starts with Bonjour. Jumping straight to Enchanté without first saying Bonjour feels abrupt. The correct sequence is: Bonjour first, then introduction, then Enchanté.

Using tu too early. Defaulting to tu in a first meeting signals either ignorance or disrespect. Always start with vous and wait for the other person to suggest switching.

Forgetting the gender agreement in writing. While Enchanté and Enchantée sound the same, the written distinction matters in emails, messages, and formal correspondence. French speakers notice incorrect gender agreement.

Saying Salut to strangers. Salut is reserved for people you already know. Using it with someone you are meeting for the first time would be like greeting a business contact with "yo" in English.

Practice With Real French Content

Reading about introduction phrases is a solid foundation, but hearing them used naturally in conversation is what makes them second nature. French-language films are full of introduction scenes. Watch how characters shift between tu and vous, how they use Enchanté versus Ravi(e), and how the physical greeting varies by context.

Wordy lets you watch French movies and shows with interactive subtitles. When a character says Enchanté or Ravi de faire votre connaissance, you can tap the phrase to see its breakdown, pronunciation, and cultural notes in real time. It is the fastest way to internalize these phrases with authentic pronunciation and natural context.

For more French content, explore our blog for guides including the best movies to learn French. You can also visit our French learning page to start practicing with real content today.