A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Good to see you" in Spanish
A warm and common Spanish phrase to express happiness upon meeting someone.
Me alegro de verte
meh ah-LEH-groh deh VEHR-tehneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're genuinely pleased to encounter someone, whether it's a friend you haven't seen in a while or a colleague you're happy to run into. It conveys a sincere positive emotion about the meeting itself.
Alternatives
- Qué gusto verteSlightly more informal and common in some regions.
- Encantado/a de verteA bit more formal, like saying 'delighted to see you'.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'alegro' with 'alegría'
'Me alegro' is the verb phrase, meaning 'I am glad'; 'alegría' is the noun 'joy'.
Using 'mirar' instead of 'ver'
'Ver' means 'to see' in the sense of perceiving with your eyes; 'mirar' means 'to look at'.
A small cultural note
This phrase is widely understood across Latin America and Spain. The sentiment of expressing pleasure at seeing someone is a common part of social interaction.
Frequently asked
What's the difference between 'Me alegro de verte' and 'Mucho gusto'?
'Me alegro de verte' means 'I am glad to see you,' focusing on the emotion of seeing the person. 'Mucho gusto' means 'Nice to meet you,' typically used when meeting someone for the first time.
How do I say 'good to see you' to a group?
You would say 'Me alegro de verlos' if addressing a group of men or a mixed group, or 'Me alegro de verlas' if addressing a group of women.
Is 'Me alegro de verte' too strong for casual greetings?
No, it's a very versatile phrase. While it expresses genuine happiness, it's commonly used in everyday greetings without sounding overly effusive.
How do you formally say "good to see you" in Spanish?
For a formal "good to see you," you can use "Es un placer verlo" (to a man) or "Es un placer verla" (to a woman). Alternatively, "Mucho gusto" can be used in formal situations.
Can "mucho gusto" mean "nice to see you"?
While "mucho gusto" primarily means "nice to meet you," it can also be used to express pleasure at seeing someone again, especially in more formal contexts.
How do you say "good to see you" in Spanish informally?
Informally, you can say "Qué bueno verte" to a male or female friend. A more casual option is simply "Me alegro de verte."
How do you say "good to see you again" in Spanish?
To say "good to see you again" formally, you can use "Es un placer volver a verlo" (to a man) or "Es un placer volver a verla" (to a woman). Informally, you can say "Qué bueno verte de nuevo."
