How to Say "Nice to Meet You" in German: Formal vs Informal Greetings

Meeting someone for the first time in a German-speaking setting? Learning how to say “nice to meet you” in German is a must. In German conversation for beginners, greeting phrases like this help you make a good first impression. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all translation – the phrasing changes with formal vs. informal German greetings, and cultural norms can influence what’s actually said. This detailed guide will cover multiple ways to express “nice to meet you” in German, complete with phonetic pronunciations, usage tips, cultural context, and sample dialogues. By the end, you’ll know exactly which phrase to use in any situation – and understand what real Germans say when meeting someone new.

Understanding German Greeting Etiquette and Culture

Before diving into the phrases, it’s important to understand a bit of German greeting etiquette. In Germany, first meetings are often accompanied by a firm handshake, direct eye contact, and an introduction with your name. Interestingly, Germans don’t always verbally say “nice to meet you” as frequently as English speakers do. It’s not considered rude if you simply greet someone with “Hallo” and a handshake without explicitly adding a phrase like “Freut mich, dich kennenzulernen.” That said, knowing how to say it will add warmth and politeness to your introduction, and Germans will appreciate the effort.

Formal vs. Informal: German makes a clear distinction between formal and informal interactions. If you’re meeting someone in a professional setting or someone older/unfamiliar, you’ll use the formal Sie (you) in your greeting phrase. With friends, peers, or anyone you’re on a first-name basis with, you’ll use the informal du (you). The phrases for “nice to meet you” will change slightly to match the formality, mainly by using Sie vs. dich (the informal form of “you” in accusative case). Don’t worry – we’ll note which version to use for each phrase below.

Textbook vs. Real Life: Your German textbook might teach a full sentence like “Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.” In reality, Germans often shorten this or use alternative expressions. It’s common just to say “Freut mich.” (literally “pleases me”) upon shaking hands, or to use a simpler phrase. We’ll highlight these differences so you know the truly essential German greeting phrases for meeting someone. Now, let’s look at the actual expressions you can use.

Formal Ways to Say "Nice to Meet You" in German

When you need to be polite or are addressing someone in the Sie form, use one of these formal expressions. These are appropriate for business meetings, interviews, or meeting older people. Practice the pronunciation to sound more natural – we’ve included phonetic guidance in parentheses.

• Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen. (ess froyt mikh, zee KEH-nen-tsu-LAIR-nen) – Meaning: “It pleases me to get to know you.” This is a classic formal phrase for “nice to meet you” in German. It’s a direct but polite expression you can’t go wrong with in formal situations. For example, at a job interview or first meeting, you might shake hands and say: Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen. Often the “Es” is dropped in spoken German, so you’ll also hear “Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.” Both are correct. Use this phrase when meeting someone for the first time in a professional or respectful context.

• Ich freue mich, Sie kennenzulernen. (ikh FROY-uh mikh, zee KEH-nen-tsu-LAIR-nen) – Meaning: “I am pleased to get to know you.” This is a slight variation of the above phrase. Literally, ich freue mich means “I am rejoicing (to meet you).” It emphasises your feeling of pleasure at the meeting. You can use Ich freue mich, Sie kennenzulernen interchangeably with Es freut mich... – both are formal and courteous. Some speakers simply prefer this construction to sound a bit more personal (“I” instead of “it”). In practice, it conveys the same friendliness when you meet someone new.

• Schön, Sie kennenzulernen. (shurn, zee KEH-nen-tsu-LAIR-nen) – This phrase translates to “Nice to get to know you.” Schön means “nice” or “beautiful,” so you are literally saying it’s nice getting to know the person. This expression is also formally acceptable (using Sie for “you”) and is a straightforward way to say “nice to meet you.” It’s slightly less wordy than freut mich phrases and very common in everyday introductions. Imagine being introduced at a conference: Guten Tag Herr Bauer, schön, Sie kennenzulernen. It delivers the message in a friendly, polite tone.

• Sehr erfreut. (zair er-FROYT) – Literally “very pleased.” This is an elegant, semi-formal greeting often used on its own (the full idea is Sehr erfreut, Sie kennenzulernen). You’ll hear Sehr erfreut in more formal introductions or even at times like meeting the parents of a friend, etc. It’s a bit on the formal side, but still common. Saying “Sehr erfreut” with a slight smile and nod can convey a courteous “delighted to meet you.” Keep in mind it might sound a touch old-fashioned among very young people, but it’s perfectly polite. You can pair it with a title/name: Sehr erfreut, Frau Schmidt. (Very pleased to meet you, Mrs. Schmidt.)

• Angenehm. (AHN-guh-naym) – This one is quite formal and old-fashioned. Angenehm by itself literally means “pleasant.” It’s short for a phrase like Angenehm, Ihre Bekanntschaft zu machen (“Pleasant to make your acquaintance”). Nowadays, you won’t hear Angenehm too often, except perhaps from older generations or in very formal encounters. It might come across as archaic or overly formal (imagine a period drama scene!). So, while it does mean “pleased to meet you,” use it sparingly. It’s good to recognise it, though, in case someone says it to you. A simple Angenehm with a handshake is the ultra-formal way to reciprocate a greeting, but in modern daily life you’re much more likely to use one of the above phrases.

Informal Ways to Say "Nice to Meet You" in German

In casual situations with friends, classmates, or people around your age, you’ll use du (dich) instead of Sie. Here are the common informal expressions for “nice to meet you” and how to use them naturally:

• Freut mich, dich kennenzulernen. (froyt mikh, dikh KEH-nen-tsu-LAIR-nen) – Use this when meeting someone around your own age, a peer, or anyone you’re on a first-name “du” basis with. It means “Pleased to get to know you,” and is the informal counterpart to Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen. This phrase is widely used and appreciated in casual introductions. For example, at a party a friend might introduce you: Das ist Lara. You can smile and say to Lara: Freut mich, dich kennenzulernen! It’s polite yet friendly.

• Schön, dich kennenzulernen. (shurn, dikh KEH-nen-tsu-LAIR-nen) – This translates to “Nice to get to know you” in an informal tone. It’s a direct informal translation of “nice to meet you” using schön. Many learners find this phrase easy because schön clearly means “nice/beautiful.” You can certainly use it when meeting someone new in a casual setting. It carries the same warmth as the above phrase but uses a more direct wording. Both Freut mich, dich kennenzulernen and Schön, dich kennenzulernen are commonly understood and used among friends or younger people – you can choose either.

• Freut mich! (froyt mikh) – Just two words, but very handy. This literally means “pleases me!” or “glad!”, and it’s the quick, informal way to say “Nice to meet you.” In everyday spoken German, especially in casual encounters, you’ll often hear people simply say Freut mich with a smile when they are introduced to someone. It’s a bit like just saying “Pleasure!” or “A pleasure” in English without finishing the sentence. For example, if someone says “Hi, ich bin Tom”, you can respond with “Freut mich!” as you shake their hand or nod. Be aware that Freut mich! On its own, it can sound a little abrupt if the tone isn’t friendly, so be sure to smile or follow up with another polite remark. But overall, this short phrase is a real-life spoken German tactic – whereas textbooks might give you the full sentence, many Germans shorten it to a simple Freut mich in casual meetings.

• Es ist schön, dich zu treffen. (ess ist shurn dikh tsu TREH-fen) – Meaning “It is nice to meet you,” this phrase uses the verb treffen (“to meet”). You might be tempted to use this because it mirrors the English phrasing, and indeed some people do say it. However, it’s less idiomatic for first introductions than using kennenzulernen. Generally, kennenlernen (“to get to know”) is the go-to verb when meeting a person for the first time. Es ist schön, dich zu treffen isn’t wrong grammatically – it will be understood as “nice to meet you” – but a native speaker might more often use Schön, dich kennenzulernen in that context. You might use the treffen version if you have arranged to meet someone (like a friend-of-a-friend) and want to express that it’s nice that you finally met up. For initial introductions, stick with the above phrases. It’s good to know this sentence exists, but remember that textbook phrases vs. spoken German can differ; what’s literally translated from English (treffen = meet) may not always be the most natural in German.

Sample German Conversations for Beginners (Formal vs. Informal)

To put it all together, here are two short dialogue examples showing how “nice to meet you” might appear in realistic German conversations. One is an informal conversation between two people using du, and the other is a formal scenario where the polite form Sie is used. These snippets will help beginners see the phrases in context and understand the flow of a German introduction. (The English translations are in italics.)

Informal Dialogue – New Friends Meeting Anna: „Hallo, ich heiße Anna.“ (Hello, my name is Anna.)Ben: „Hi Anna, ich bin Ben. Freut mich, dich kennenzulernen!” (Hi Anna, I’m Ben. Nice to meet you!)Anna: „Freut mich auch, Ben.” (Nice to meet you too, Ben.)

In this informal example, Anna and Ben are likely similar age or in a casual setting (they use first names and du). Notice Ben says “Freut mich, dich kennenzulernen!” and Anna replies “Freut mich auch”, which is a natural way to say “nice to meet you too.” We’ll discuss more about such follow-up responses in the next section.

Formal Dialogue – Business Introduction Herr Schmitz: „Guten Tag, mein Name ist Karl Schmitz.“ (Good day, my name is Karl Schmitz.) Frau Becker: „Guten Tag, Herr Schmitz. Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen. Ich heiße Claudia Becker.” (Good day, Mr. Schmitz. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Claudia Becker.) Herr Schmitz: „Ganz meinerseits, Frau Becker.” (Likewise, Mrs. Becker [The pleasure is mine].)

In this formal scenario, both speakers use Sie and formal address (Herr for Mr., Frau for Ms./Mrs.). Frau Becker uses the full Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen to be polite. Herr Schmitz responds with “Ganz meinerseits,” a formal way to say “likewise” or literally “completely on my side,” implying “the pleasure is all mine.” This is a common courteous reply when someone says it’s nice to meet you in a formal context.

These dialogues show how you might encounter the phrases in real life. As a beginner, practising such mini-conversations can build your confidence. Try reading them out loud to get comfortable with the pronunciation and rhythm of German greetings.

Common Follow-Up Phrases After Meeting Someone

After the initial “nice to meet you” exchange, what comes next? It’s useful to know how to respond when someone says one of these phrases to you, as well as how to extend the courtesy at the end of a meeting. Here are some common follow-up phrases and responses related to meeting someone:

• Freut mich auch! – This simply means “Nice to meet you too.” It’s the direct response if someone says Freut mich or Schön, dich kennenzulernen to you. You can also say “Mich auch.” in casual settings, which is like saying “Me too.” For example, if someone says “Freut mich, dich kennenzulernen”, you can smile and reply “Freut mich auch!” This polite return phrase ensures you reciprocate the friendliness.

• Ganz meinerseits. – This is a formal reply meaning “likewise” or “the pleasure is mine.” As seen in the dialogue above, Ganz meinerseits is perfect when someone says “Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.” It matches the polite tone and basically says you feel the same pleasure in meeting them. This phrase is somewhat formal or elegant; you wouldn’t use it in a casual teen meetup, but in business or formal adult introductions, it’s a wonderful response.

• Es hat mich gefreut, Sie kennenzulernen. (ess hat mikh guh-FROYT, zee KEH-nen-tsu-LAIR-nen) – “It has pleased me to meet you” is the literal meaning, but in normal English we’d say “It was nice meeting you.” This is a phrase you use at the end of a conversation or meeting, rather than at the beginning. For instance, after you’ve chatted with someone you just met (in a formal context) and you’re parting ways, you might say Es hat mich gefreut, Sie kennenzulernen as a courteous goodbye line. It wraps up the encounter on a polite note, implying you enjoyed meeting them. In a work setting, you might even combine it with a thanks or plan, like Es hat mich gefreut, Sie kennenzulernen. Vielen Dank für das Gespräch. (“It was a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for the conversation.”)

• Es war schön, dich zu treffen. – This is the informal version of the above: “It was nice meeting you.” You’d use this at the end of an informal meet-up, perhaps after hanging out with a new acquaintance or at the end of a first date or casual meeting. Es war schön, dich zu treffen lets the person know you appreciated meeting them. Remember, use dich for informal “you.” If you had used Schön, dich kennenzulernen at the start, you could echo with Es war schön, dich zu treffen at the end – although you don’t have to say it both times. One or the other is enough to be polite. Often, Germans might simply say “War schön, dich kennenzulernen” or “Hat mich gefreut” as a quick wrap-up. These are slightly abbreviated versions (dropping the Es). For example: “Tschüss, war schön, dich kennenzulernen! Bis bald.” (“Bye, it was nice to meet you! See you soon.”)

• Bis bald / Bis später / Auf Wiedersehen – These phrases aren’t direct translations of “nice to meet you,” but they are common follow-ups after meeting someone. Bis bald means “See you soon,” Bis später means “See you later,” and Auf Wiedersehen is the formal “Goodbye” (literally “until we see again”). You might pair these with the above phrases. For instance: Es hat mich gefreut, Sie kennenzulernen, Herr Weber. Auf Wiedersehen! Or in informal cases: War nett, dich kennenzulernen. Bis später! Using a follow-up farewell like this helps smoothly transition from the introduction to departure, and it’s a polite way to show you’d be happy to meet again.

By learning these follow-up phrases, you ensure you’re covered from the moment you meet someone to the moment you part ways. It’s all about leaving a good impression in German conversations.

Mastering German Greetings with Olesen Tuition

Learning nuances like when to use formal vs. informal German greetings, or how to sound natural when saying “nice to meet you”, is key to achieving true conversational fluency. It’s one thing to memorise a phrase from a textbook, and another to know when and how to use it in real life. This is where practice and cultural insight matter – and Olesen Tuition’s German tutoring services and resources can help you get there.

At Olesen Tuition, we specialise in helping learners of all levels become confident in German conversation. Our experienced German tutors not only teach you phrases and pronunciation, but also the cultural context behind them. With personalised lessons, you can role-play introductions, get feedback on your accent, saying “Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen,” and learn other essential German phrases for meeting someone new. We also cover those subtle differences between what the textbook teaches and what Germans actually say day-to-day, so you won’t feel like a walking phrasebook – you’ll sound genuinely German.

For more tips and in-depth guides on German greetings and beyond, explore our blog “Auf Deutsch, bitte!” – it’s packed with articles on German language and culture to complement your learning. From basic German conversation for beginners to advanced grammar insights, our blog and courses provide a comprehensive resource for mastering the language.

In conclusion, knowing how to say “nice to meet you” in German in multiple ways will prepare you for almost any introduction. Whether you stick with the trusty “Freut mich” in a casual setting or opt for “Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen” in a formal meeting, you’ll be greeting people with confidence and cultural savvy. Practice the pronunciations, use these phrases next time you meet German speakers, and don’t be afraid to make that first connection – viel Erfolg! (Good luck!)

Ready to take your German to the next level? Olesen Tuition offers one-on-one lessons and group classes that emphasise real conversational skills and cultural fluency. With the right guidance, you’ll soon navigate German introductions and beyond like a native. Viel Spaß beim Deutschlernen! (Have fun learning German!)