Say Like a Local

How to Say "Nice to meet you" in Spanish

The most common expression is "Mucho gusto." It is standard across Spanish-speaking countries for first introductions.

The most common way

.

A standard, friendly way to say you are pleased to meet someone.

How to say it: Stress the first syllable of each word: MOO-cho GOOS-toh. In "gusto," the g is hard and the u is a short "oo" sound, not like English "gw."

Other ways to say it

  • formal

    .

    It is a pleasure to meet you, using the formal usted form.

    When to use it: Use with older people, clients, or professional contacts you address as usted.

  • informal, male speaker

    .

    Delighted to meet you; common among peers, especially in Spain. A female speaker says "Encantada de conocerte."

    When to use it: Use with friends, classmates, or people your age when you are male and using tú.

  • polite

    .

    A fuller, more formal version of "mucho gusto."

    When to use it: Use in formal introductions, especially when addressing someone as usted.

  • friendly

    .

    A pleasure to meet you; warm and a little more personal than "mucho gusto."

    When to use it: Use in relaxed social situations with someone you address as tú.

  • casual

    .

    A shorter, relaxed way to say it is a pleasure to meet you.

    When to use it: Use with peers in informal introductions; common in Latin America.

In a conversation

  1. A

    , . .

    Hi, I'm Marta. Nice to meet you.

  2. B

    , . .

    Delighted, Marta. I'm Carlos.

  3. A

    . ¿ ?

    Likewise. Where are you from?

Common mistakes

  • Agradable conocerte. → Mucho gusto.

    "Agradable" is not used as a set greeting for meeting someone; it sounds like a literal translation.

  • Encantado conocerte. → Encantado de conocerte.

    The preposition "de" is needed before the infinitive "conocerte."

  • Mucho gusto conocerte. → Mucho gusto en conocerte.

    "Mucho gusto" works alone, but if you add "conocer," use "en" before the infinitive.