What happens in the video
Hana wants to introduce Theo to a friend, and she has a speech ready. It's nine minutes long, and Theo asks if she really needs nine minutes for one hello. In the end, they agree that Theo only needs to say "Nice to finally meet you," so Theo cuts his four minute joke.
1 Have you two met?
Tone Casual and friendly
Ask this before you introduce two people, so you don't introduce people who already know each other. It works with friends, coworkers, and at parties. For a group of three or more, say "Have you all met?"
Have you two met?
For example:
A: Oh, Lee is here. Have you two met?
B: No, I don't think so.
A: Then come with me. Lee, this is Sam.
2 Let me introduce you.
Tone Warm and helpful
Use it when you are about to bring two people together. Follow it with the names right away. You can also say "Let me introduce you to my friend Lee." Don't make a long speech after it.
Max, let me introduce you.
For example:
A: Sam, let me introduce you. This is Lee, my friend from work.
B: Hi, Lee. Good to meet you.
3 Nice to finally meet you.
Tone Polite and warm
Here "finally" means after a long wait. Use it when you have heard about the person for a long time or planned to meet many times. Don't use it with a stranger you never heard of; just say "Nice to meet you."
Nice to finally meet you.
For example:
A: Lee, this is Sam. I talk about Sam all the time.
B: Nice to finally meet you, Sam.
A: You too. I've heard a lot about you.
4 This is my friend Lee.
Tone Simple and natural
This is the most common way to introduce someone. Use "this is," not "he is" or "she is," when the person is standing with you. You can add one short detail, such as where you know them from.
For example:
A: Hi, Sam. This is my friend Lee. We went to school together.
B: Hi, Lee. Nice to meet you.
5 I'd like you to meet my friend Lee.
Tone Polite, a little formal
Use it at work, at an event, or with older people when you want to sound careful and polite. Between close friends at a casual party, "This is Lee" sounds more relaxed.
For example:
A: Ms. Park, I'd like you to meet my friend Lee.
B: Hello, Lee. It's a pleasure to meet you.
6 I've heard so much about you.
Tone Friendly and interested
Say it when a friend has told you about this person before. It often comes right after "Nice to finally meet you." Only say it if it is true, because the other person may ask what you heard.
For example:
A: Lee, this is Sam.
B: Hi, Sam. I've heard so much about you.
A: Good things, I hope!
7 How do you two know each other?
Tone Curious and light
Ask this when you meet someone new through a friend. It gives everyone an easy topic to talk about. Don't ask it in a very formal meeting where people have a clear work role.
For example:
A: So how do you two know each other?
B: We worked at the same café years ago.
8 Nice to meet you too.
Tone Polite and easy
Use this to answer "Nice to meet you." You can also say "You too." It works in almost every situation, casual or formal.
For example:
A: Nice to meet you, Lee.
B: Nice to meet you too.
9 I don't think we've met. I'm Sam.
Tone Friendly and confident
Use this when nobody introduces you and you want to introduce yourself. It's polite at parties and meetings. If your friend is about to introduce you, wait for them.
For example:
A: Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Sam.
B: Oh, hi! I'm Lee. I'm Kim's friend.
Common mistakes
-
Not quite
Let me introduce you my friend.Better Let me introduce you to my friend.
The verb "introduce" needs "to" before the second person. You introduce one person to another person.
-
Not quite
Have you two meet?Better Have you two met?
This question uses the present perfect, so it needs "have" plus the past participle "met," not the base form "meet."
-
Not quite
Nice to finally meet you. (to a stranger you just saw for the first time)Better Nice to meet you.
"Finally" means after a long wait. If you never heard of the person before, the word sounds strange.
Quick quiz
Choose your answer for each question, then open the answer to check it.
-
You want to introduce two friends, but maybe they already know each other. What do you ask first?
- Have you two met?
- Who are you?
- Let me introduce you to my friend.
Show the answer (Question 1)
Answer: Have you two met? This question checks if the people already know each other before you introduce them.
-
Your friend has talked about Lee for a year. Today you meet Lee. Which line fits best?
- Nice to meet you too.
- Nice to finally meet you.
- I don't think we've met.
Show the answer (Question 2)
Answer: Nice to finally meet you. "Finally" shows you waited a long time to meet this person.
-
Which sentence is correct?
- Let me introduce you my friend Lee.
- Let me introduce you to my friend Lee.
- Let me introduce to you my friend Lee at.
Show the answer (Question 3)
Answer: Let me introduce you to my friend Lee. You introduce one person to another, so "to" goes before the second person.
-
You are at a work event with your manager. Which introduction sounds most polite?
- This is Lee, OK?
- I'd like you to meet my friend Lee.
- Lee. Sam. Done.
Show the answer (Question 4)
Answer: I'd like you to meet my friend Lee. "I'd like you to meet" is polite and a little formal, so it fits a work event.
-
Someone says "Nice to meet you." What is a natural reply?
- Nice to meet you too.
- Have you two met?
- Let me introduce you.
Show the answer (Question 5)
Answer: Nice to meet you too. "Nice to meet you too" returns the greeting politely.
Questions learners ask
How do you introduce a friend in English?
Say the names clearly and keep it short. A simple pattern is "Sam, this is Lee. Lee, this is Sam." You can add one detail, such as "We work together." Then let the two people talk.
What is the difference between "Nice to meet you" and "Nice to finally meet you"?
"Nice to meet you" works with anyone you meet for the first time. "Nice to finally meet you" adds the idea that you waited a long time. Use it when you have heard about the person before or tried to meet many times.
Is "Let me introduce you" formal?
It's neutral, so it works with friends and at work. It sounds warm and helpful. For a more formal situation, you can say "I'd like you to meet..."
What should I say if nobody introduces me?
You can introduce yourself. Say "Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Sam." Then you can ask "How do you know Kim?" to start a conversation.
Film lines are short quotes used for language teaching. The dialogue belongs to its rightsholders. Hana and Theo are animated characters made with Google Flow.
