A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Nice to meet you" in French
The standard French phrase for 'nice to meet you,' used when first introduced to someone.
Enchanté(e)
ahn-shahn-TAYneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Say this immediately after someone introduces themselves to you, whether in a professional setting or a casual social gathering. It's a polite and expected response.
Alternatives
- Ravi(e) de faire votre connaissanceThis is a more formal and slightly longer way to express the same sentiment.
- C'est un plaisir de vous rencontrerThis is a polite and common alternative, often used in slightly more formal situations.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 'ch' sound
The 'ch' in 'enchanté' sounds like the 'sh' in 'shoe', not like the 'ch' in 'church'.
Forgetting the nasal vowel
The 'en' and 'an' sounds are nasal; air passes through your nose, not just your mouth.
Adding an English 't' sound
The final 'é' is a pure vowel sound; don't add a hard 't' at the end like in English words.
A small cultural note
While 'Enchanté(e)' is standard, some younger people might use more casual phrases or even skip a direct equivalent if the introduction is very brief.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
When do I say 'Enchanté' vs 'Enchantée'?
You add the extra 'e' if you are female. However, in spoken French, this distinction is not audible.
Is 'Enchanté' too formal for friends?
It's perfectly fine, but if you're already on very casual terms, you might skip it or use something even more laid-back.
What if I'm meeting multiple people?
You can still say 'Enchanté(e)' once, or say 'Enchantés' (plural) if you want to acknowledge everyone at once.
