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

The Short Answer

The most common way to say "nice to meet you" in Italian is Piacere (pyah-CHEH-reh), which literally means "pleasure." This single, elegant word is the cornerstone of every Italian introduction, whether you are shaking hands at a business conference in Milan, being introduced to your partner's family in Rome, or meeting a fellow traveler at a café in Florence.

Italian is spoken by approximately 85 million people worldwide, including 64 million native speakers across four countries where it holds official status: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, and Vatican City, according to Ethnologue's 2024 data. What makes Italian introductions distinctive is that they are never optional. In Italian culture, exchanging Piacere and your name is a mandatory social ritual, and skipping it is considered genuinely rude, not just a minor oversight. Whether you're looking up "nice to meet you in italian" for travel, study, or conversation, this guide covers everything you need.

"In Italian communicative culture, the introduction ritual is not a formality to be rushed through; it is the foundation upon which the entire subsequent relationship is built. The word piacere carries the full weight of this social contract."

(Anna Wierzbicka, Cross-Cultural Pragmatics, Mouton de Gruyter)

This guide covers 15+ ways to express "nice to meet you" in Italian, organized by formality level: universal, formal, casual, the name exchange ritual, and response phrases. Each includes pronunciation, an example sentence, and cultural context so you know exactly when to use it.

Quick Reference: Italian Introductions at a Glance

The Essential Word: Piacere

The word Piacere is the cornerstone of every Italian introduction. It is also one of the most fascinating words in the language because it carries multiple meanings: as a noun it means "pleasure," and as a verb it means "to like" or "to please." According to the Accademia della Crusca, piacere derives from the Latin placēre (to please, to be agreeable), and it has maintained this dual role for centuries.

Piacere

When Italians meet someone new, the typical sequence is: greeting (Ciao or Buongiorno), then Piacere plus your first name. This is not optional; it is expected. Research by the Accademia della Crusca on contemporary Italian usage confirms that Piacere remains the dominant introduction expression across all age groups and regions, with no sign of declining.

The pronunciation is three syllables: pyah-CHEH-reh. The stress falls on the second syllable. A common learner mistake is placing equal weight on all three syllables. Instead, emphasize the middle: pyah-CHEH-reh.

Piacere di conoscerti

This is the full-sentence version using the informal tu form. The verb conoscere means "to know" or "to get to know," so you are literally saying "pleasure of getting to know you." Use it when the setting is clearly casual: a friend's dinner party, a weekend gathering, or meeting someone at a bar.

Piacere di conoscerla

The formal counterpart switches the pronoun ending from -ti (informal) to -la (formal). In Italian business culture, starting with Lei and letting the other person invite you to switch to tu is a sign of professionalism, as noted by the Treccani usage guide. Never make the switch to tu yourself if you are the younger or lower-ranking person.

Formal Introduction Phrases

When the setting demands elevated language (a gala, a diplomatic reception, a high-stakes business meeting), Italian offers more refined alternatives to Piacere. The Accademia della Crusca notes that Italian maintains one of the most nuanced formal registers among modern European languages.

Molto lieto

Molto lieto is the elegant, formal alternative to Piacere. The word lieto comes from the Latin laetus (joyful), and it carries a sense of genuine delight that goes beyond simple politeness. This is the introduction phrase of corporate Italy, diplomatic receptions, and formal social events.

The crucial detail: the ending changes based on the speaker's gender, not the listener's. A man says Molto lieto (-o ending), a woman says Molto lieta (-a ending). This grammatical gender agreement is a fundamental feature of Italian.

Molto lieta

In contemporary spoken Italian, especially among younger generations, some women use Molto lieto without the gender change in casual-formal settings. But in truly formal contexts (business, academia, diplomacy) the correct gendered form remains expected. Treccani notes that maintaining this distinction is a marker of educated, careful Italian.

Lieto di fare la Sua conoscenza

This is the maximum-formality Italian introduction. You will encounter it in diplomatic receptions, formal academic settings, and high-level business meetings. The phrase carries an old-world elegance that Italians still appreciate in appropriate contexts.

È un onore

Reserve this for situations that genuinely warrant it: meeting a dignitary, a renowned scholar, or someone whose work you deeply admire. Using È un onore at a casual dinner party would sound either sarcastic or comically over-the-top. Italians have a sharp ear for tonal mismatch.

The Name Exchange Ritual

In Italian culture, exchanging names during an introduction is not a nicety; it is a requirement. The Treccani encyclopedia describes the Italian introduction as a "bilateral ritual" that is incomplete without both parties stating their names. Skipping this step signals disinterest or, worse, arrogance.

Mi chiamo...

Mi chiamo is the standard way to state your name in any situation, formal or informal. The reflexive verb chiamarsi (to call oneself) is a beautiful example of how Italian approaches identity: rather than "my name is," Italian says "I call myself," implying that your name is something you actively own.

The typical Italian introduction formula runs: Piacere, mi chiamo [name] or Mi chiamo [name], piacere. Either order works perfectly.

Come si chiama?

The formal version uses si (the Lei reflexive pronoun) and the third-person conjugation chiama. Use this with anyone you would address as Lei: a new client, a colleague you have not met, an older acquaintance at a formal gathering.

Come ti chiami?

The informal version switches from si to ti and from chiama to chiami. This is the version you will hear at parties, among university students, and in any setting where tu is the natural register.

Ciao, io sono...

Sometimes the simplest approach is best. Ciao, io sono... skips the formality entirely and goes straight to friendliness. This is the introduction you will hear most at house parties, informal gatherings, and among young people. It signals immediately that the relationship will be on a tu basis.

How to Respond to Italian Introductions

Knowing the right response is just as important as initiating the introduction. Here is a complete guide.

Piacere mio

This is the warm, natural response that works in virtually any situation. The word order (Piacere mio rather than the fuller Il piacere è mio) gives it a conversational, approachable feel.

Il piacere è mio

The definite article il and the verb è give this response a complete-sentence structure that sounds more deliberate and formal. Use it in professional settings and when you want to match elevated formality.

Altrettanto

Altrettanto is the Swiss Army knife of Italian responses. It means "likewise" and works as a response to any introduction phrase, compliment, or well-wish. One word, universally useful.

Bonus Phrases That Add Polish

These phrases go beyond the basics and show genuine cultural fluency in Italian introductions.

Ho sentito parlare molto di Lei

Telling someone you have heard about them signals that you value the introduction and their reputation. In Italian culture, personal connections (conoscenze) matter enormously. A 2023 report by the Società Dante Alighieri noted that relationship-building remains central to Italian professional life in ways that differ significantly from Anglo-Saxon business culture.

Finalmente ci conosciamo!

In the age of social media and remote work, this phrase has become increasingly relevant. Use it when you finally meet someone in person after email exchanges, video calls, or hearing about them through mutual friends.

The Two-Kiss Greeting: Due Baci

No guide to Italian introductions is complete without addressing the physical component. Wierzbicka's research on cross-cultural communication confirms that Italian greeting rituals are among the most physically expressive in Europe.

In formal and business settings, a firm handshake with direct eye contact is standard across all of Italy. A weak handshake or avoiding eye contact can be interpreted as disinterest.

In social settings, Italians exchange two kisses on the cheeks (due baci). The critical detail: start with the left cheek (meaning you move your head to your right first), then switch to the right cheek. These are light air-kisses, not lip-to-cheek contact.

Who gets due baci?

• Women meeting women in social settings: always
• Women meeting men in relaxed social contexts: very common
• Men meeting men: handshake is the default, unless they are close friends or family (especially in the south)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Practice With Real Italian Content

Reading about introduction phrases gives you the knowledge, but hearing them in natural conversation is what makes them instinctive. Italian cinema is full of memorable first-meeting scenes, from the elaborate formal introductions in period dramas like Il Gattopardo to the rapid-fire Piacere, piacere! exchanges at crowded Roman dinner parties in modern comedies.

Wordy lets you watch Italian movies and shows with interactive subtitles. Tap any introduction phrase to see its meaning, pronunciation, and formality level in real time. Instead of memorizing from a list, you absorb natural introduction patterns from authentic Italian conversations with native intonation and body language.

For more Italian content, explore our blog for guides including the best movies to learn Italian. You can also visit our Italian learning page to start practicing introductions in context today.