In Spain, nice to meet you is usually encantado (ehn-kahn-TAH-doh) if you are a man and encantada if you are a woman: the ending follows the speaker, not the listener. Mucho gusto (MOO-choh GOOS-toh), "much pleasure", suits anyone and is the favourite in much of Latin America. The usual reply is igualmente, likewise.
- Nice to meet you (man speaking)
- encantado
- Nice to meet you (woman speaking)
- encantada
- Pleasure
- mucho gusto
- Likewise
- igualmente
- Level
- A1
Should you say encantado or encantada?
Encantado means delighted, and like most Spanish adjectives it agrees with the person it describes. That person is you. A man says encantado to everyone; a woman says encantada to everyone. Mucho gusto never changes, which is why some learners prefer it.
| Spanish | English | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Encantado / Encantada | Delighted, nice to meet you | Spain's default; any situation |
| Mucho gusto | Pleasure | Neutral; everywhere, especially Latin America |
| Encantado de conocerte | Delighted to meet you | Fuller; to someone you call tú |
| Encantada de conocerle | Delighted to meet you | Formal, usted (Spain) |
| Un placer | A pleasure | Slightly formal; work and events |
| Es un placer conocerle | It's a pleasure to meet you | Formal, usted |
| Me alegro de conocerte | I'm glad to meet you | Warm, a little fuller |
How do you reply to encantado?
Bounce it back. Igualmente (likewise) is the easiest and works with anyone. Repeating encantado or encantada with your own ending is also normal, and el gusto es mío (the pleasure is mine) is a polished answer to mucho gusto.
Encantada. Igualmente.
Nice to meet you. Likewise.
Mucho gusto. El gusto es mío.
Pleasure. The pleasure is mine.
Te presento a mi amiga Lola.
Let me introduce my friend Lola.
To someone you call tú.
Le presento a la señora Ruiz.
May I introduce Mrs Ruiz.
Formal, usted.
To make the introduction in the first place, you need how to say my name is in Spanish.
Which verb means to meet someone for the first time?
Conocer. English uses "meet" both for a first meeting and for meeting up again; Spanish separates them. First time: conocer a alguien. Arranging to see someone you already know: quedar con alguien in Spain, or verse. In the past tense, conocer often means the moment you met, as in this B1 chapter set on Menorca:
El segundo día conoció a Jaume.Ayer conocí a tu hermano.
I met your brother yesterday.
First meeting; note the personal a.
He quedado con Pablo a las ocho.
I'm meeting Pablo at eight.
Spain; a plan with someone you know.
¿Os conocéis?
Do you two know each other?
Spain, vosotros.
What happens after nice to meet you in Spain?
Body language does as much as the words. In social settings two women, or a man and a woman, usually exchange two light cheek kisses; men tend to shake hands, and business meetings start with a handshake for everyone. Then comes a welcome or an offer of help.
As you part, encantado de conocerte or ha sido un placer (it's been a pleasure) closes the first meeting. More greeting customs are on the page on how to say hello in Spanish.
Read A1 Spanish stories where neighbours, strangers and future friends meet for the first time, and tap any word to see what it means.
Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
Is encantado formal?
No, it is neutral. You can say it to a new colleague, a friend's parents or someone at a party. Add de conocerle (Spain) or de conocerlo for a more formal touch.
What does mucho gusto mean?
Literally "much pleasure". It means nice to meet you and suits everyone, whatever your gender. Spaniards understand and use it, though encantado is more typical in Spain.
How do you say nice to meet you too?
Igualmente is the quickest. Encantado también or el gusto es mío also work. Just remember to match encantado or encantada to yourself.
Can a woman say encantado?
Not about herself. A woman says encantada, whoever she is talking to. Saying encantado sounds like a mistake.
How do you say nice to have met you?
Ha sido un placer (it's been a pleasure) or encantado de haberte conocido. Both are said when you part after a first meeting.