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

The Short Answer

The most common way to say "nice to meet you" in German is Freut mich (froyt mikh). It literally means "pleases me" and works in nearly every introduction scenario. For formal situations, the full phrase Schön, Sie kennenzulernen (nice to get to know you) is the gold standard.

German is spoken by approximately 132 million people worldwide across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and parts of Belgium, according to Ethnologue's 2024 data. What makes German introductions distinctive is the rigid Sie/Du distinction -- you always default to the formal Sie with strangers, and a firm handshake with unbroken eye contact is non-negotiable. Whether you're looking up "nice to meet you in german" for travel, study, or conversation, this guide covers everything you need.

"In German-speaking cultures, the ritual of introduction is not merely social lubrication; it is a carefully structured negotiation of social distance, respect, and mutual recognition."

(Claire Kramsch, Language and Culture, Oxford University Press, 1998)

This guide covers 15+ German introduction phrases organized by formality: casual, polite, formal, business, and regional variations across Austria and Switzerland. Each phrase includes pronunciation, an example sentence, and cultural context so you can make a confident first impression.

Quick Reference: German Introduction Phrases at a Glance

Casual Introduction Phrases

These are the everyday phrases Germans use among friends, at social gatherings, and in relaxed settings. Even in casual contexts, a handshake is common. Germans are more physically reserved at introductions than many other cultures.

Freut mich

Freut mich is the Swiss Army knife of German introductions. The phrase is beautifully direct: where English says "nice to meet you" (four words describing your feelings about the meeting), German says "pleases me" (two words cutting straight to the point). This efficiency is characteristic of how German handles social phrases.

You will hear Freut mich everywhere from Berlin to Vienna to Zurich. It pairs naturally with a name: Freut mich, ich bin Sarah (Nice to meet you, I'm Sarah). The Duden dictionary classifies it as a standard conversational formula appropriate across register levels.

Freut mich auch

The word auch (also, too) transforms Freut mich into its response form. This is the easiest response to remember and sounds completely natural. When in doubt during a German introduction, Freut mich auch is always safe.

Mich auch

This is the abbreviated, youth-friendly version. You will hear it at university orientations, parties, and casual meetups. It drops everything except the essential meaning: me too.

Formal Introduction Phrases

The Goethe-Institut emphasizes that German formal register is not optional; it is a core social expectation. When meeting someone for the first time in a professional, official, or unfamiliar social context, these phrases signal competence and respect.

Schön, Sie kennenzulernen

This phrase showcases one of German's most distinctive features: compound word construction. Kennenzulernen fuses three elements (kennen, to know; zu, to; and lernen, to learn) into one satisfying word meaning "to get to know." For language learners, mastering this word is a small victory that native speakers notice and appreciate.

The Sie (formal you, always capitalized) is mandatory here. Using dich (informal you) instead would feel jarring and presumptuous in a first meeting with someone you should address formally.

Angenehm

Angenehm is the classiest way to acknowledge an introduction in German. Where Schön, Sie kennenzulernen is thorough, Angenehm is concise: a single word that conveys "pleasant," implying "it is pleasant to make your acquaintance." Think of it as the German equivalent of a crisp, well-tailored suit: understated but impressive.

You will hear it most from older Germans, in academic circles, and at formal events. According to the Duden, its use as a standalone introduction response dates back to the 19th century and remains in active use.

Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen

This is the complete, grammatically expanded version of Freut mich. Adding Es (it) at the beginning and Sie kennenzulernen at the end creates a fully formal sentence. Insert sehr (very) for extra warmth: Es freut mich sehr, Sie kennenzulernen.

Darf ich mich vorstellen

This phrase is essential for networking situations where you approach someone cold. It asks permission before launching into your introduction, a display of courtesy that Germans value highly. Follow it with Mein Name ist... (My name is...) rather than the more casual Ich bin... (I am...) to maintain the formal register.

Responding to Introductions

Knowing how to respond is just as important as the initial greeting. Here are the most common response patterns:

Ganz meinerseits

Ganz meinerseits is the ideal response when you want to sound polished without being stiff. It works across formality levels, equally appropriate at a cocktail party and at a business introduction. The word meinerseits (on my side) is another of those compound constructions that make German distinctive.

Gleichfalls

Short, efficient, and universally understood. Gleichfalls is the German response for people who prefer directness (which, as it happens, is most Germans). It means "equally so" or "likewise" and can respond to virtually any positive statement.

The Du/Sie Distinction at First Meetings

Understanding Sie versus Du is critical for getting German introductions right. This is not a quaint formality; it is an active, meaningful social system that approximately 100 million native speakers navigate daily.

The transition from Sie to Du is a defined social moment called Duzen anbieten (offering the Du). Traditionally, the older person, the woman, or the person of higher professional rank initiates this shift by saying Wir können uns duzen (We can use Du with each other) or simply Du kannst mich duzen (You can use Du with me).

In modern German workplaces, particularly in startups, tech companies, and creative industries, Du is increasingly the default from the first meeting. But in law firms, government offices, universities (between students and professors), and medical settings, Sie remains the unquestioned standard.

Regional Variations: Austria and Switzerland

German introductions shift noticeably as you cross national borders. According to Ethnologue, Austrian German and Swiss German are distinct enough to be classified as separate standard varieties, each with their own social conventions.

Sehr erfreut

Austria takes titles seriously. If someone introduces themselves as Magister Hofmann or Frau Doktor Berger, you must use that title in your response. Dropping titles in Austria is considered far more rude than it would be in Germany. The Goethe-Institut notes this as one of the most frequently cited cultural differences between German and Austrian workplace norms.

Grüezi, freut mich

Swiss introductions are marked by Grüezi, the distinctly Swiss greeting that signals you are in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Swiss culture values understatement, and introductions tend to be quieter and more reserved than in Germany or Austria. Don't be surprised if a Swiss person maintains slightly more physical distance during a handshake.

German Handshake Culture and Business Card Etiquette

Physical greeting etiquette in German-speaking countries is more codified than in most English-speaking cultures. Getting it right signals competence and cultural awareness.

The handshake rules:

• Firm grip: not bone-crushing, but definitely not limp. A weak handshake is perceived negatively across all German-speaking countries
• Direct eye contact: this is essential. Breaking eye contact during a handshake can be interpreted as untrustworthy or disrespectful
• Shake hands with everyone individually: in a group setting, greet and shake hands with every single person, not just the host or the most senior person
• Stand up: always stand when being introduced to someone, regardless of the setting

Business card exchange:

• Present your card with the text facing the recipient
• If you receive a card, read it briefly before putting it away (never pocket it without looking)
• In German business culture, academic titles on business cards are expected and respected (Dr., Prof., Dipl.-Ing.)
• Place received cards on the table during the meeting rather than immediately pocketing them

How to Introduce Others in German

When introducing two people to each other, German follows a specific protocol based on social hierarchy:

Traditionally, the less senior person is introduced to the more senior person, not the other way around. In practice, this means you say the senior person's name first: Herr Direktor Braun, darf ich Ihnen Frau Meier vorstellen? (Director Braun, may I introduce Ms. Meier to you?).

Practice With Real German Content

Reading these phrases builds your foundation, but hearing them in natural conversation is what makes them stick. German-language films and shows are an excellent resource. Try Dark for Northern German, Die Kaiserin for Austrian German, or Tatort for regional variations across the German-speaking world.

Wordy takes this further by letting you watch German movies and shows with interactive subtitles. Tap on any introduction phrase to see its meaning, pronunciation, and cultural context in real time. Instead of memorizing phrases from a list, you absorb them from authentic conversations with real intonation and body language.

For more German content, explore our blog for guides including the best movies to learn German. Visit our German learning page to start practicing today.