Here’s how to say “nice to meet you” in Korean:
This literally translates to:
This expression can only be used when meeting someone for the first time. This is because 만나서 comes from the verb 만나다, which means “to meet”.
However, 반가워요 by itself can be said to someone you already know, after not seeing them for a long time. To respond to someone saying 반가워요, you can repeat it back to them.
To say “nice to meet you” to a close friend who is around the same age as you or younger:
반가워요 and 반가워 come from the verb 반갑다, which means “to be happy to see”.
The formal version of 반가워요 is: 반갑습니다. We will go into the 요 and 습니다 grammar forms in later lessons.
Conversation Practice
Formal/Honorific:
데이빗: 안녕하세요! 반갑습니다.
빌리: 네, 반갑습니다!
Informal:
데이빗: 안녕하세요! 반가워요.
빌리: 네, 반가워요!
David: Hello! Nice to meet you.
Billy: Nice to meet you, too!