How to Say "nice to meet you" in Chinese

Quick Answer

“Nice to meet you” in Chinese is 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāo xìng rèn shí nǐ).

Broken down: 很 (very) + 高兴 (happy/glad) + 认识 (to know/meet) + 你 (you) = “Very glad to meet/know you.”

How to Pronounce It

The phrase is six syllables — longer than the English equivalent. Practice it in chunks:

• 很高兴 (hěn gāo xìng) — “very glad”
• 认识 (rèn shí) — “to meet / to know”
• 你 (nǐ) — “you”

Natural speed: “hen GAO-xing ren-SHI ni”

Shorter Alternatives

In casual conversation, the full phrase can feel a bit formal. Shortcuts:

Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning
幸会	xìng huì	Honored to meet you (formal/literary)
认识你很高兴	rèn shí nǐ hěn gāo xìng	Glad to know you (same meaning, different order)
很高兴见到你	hěn gāo xìng jiàn dào nǐ	Nice to see you (for someone you’ve met before)

The Response

When someone says 很高兴认识你, the standard reply is:

我也是！ (Wǒ yě shì!) — “Me too!”

Or the full polite form:

认识你我也很高兴！ (Rèn shí nǐ wǒ yě hěn gāo xìng!) — “I’m also very glad to meet you!”

Full Introduction Sequence

你好！我叫 [Name]，很高兴认识你。 Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ jiào [Name], hěn gāo xìng rèn shí nǐ. “Hello! My name is [Name], nice to meet you.”

Response:

我也是！我叫 [Name]。 Wǒ yě shì! Wǒ jiào [Name]. “Me too! My name is [Name].”

In Business/Formal Contexts

At a meeting or formal introduction, use the more respectful 您 (nín):

很高兴认识您。— Hěn gāo xìng rèn shí nín. — Very glad to meet you (formal).

Cultural Context

Chinese introductions in professional settings often include exchanging business cards (名片 míng piàn) — a ritual with specific etiquette: offer and receive cards with both hands, take a moment to look at it before putting it away (never stuff it in your pocket immediately — that’s rude).

In social settings, the introduction may be followed quickly by questions about your nationality, job, and family — genuine curiosity rather than intrusion.

Practice

Introduce yourself in full:

你好！我叫 [your name]，很高兴认识你！ Hello! My name is [your name], nice to meet you!