French Phrase
Je m'appelle Raphael. Enchanté.
Meaning
Literally, ‘I call myself Raphael. Pleased (to meet you).’ It is the standard way to introduce yourself and express pleasure at meeting someone.
When to use
Use this phrase the moment you meet someone for the first time, whether in a formal setting (business meeting) or a casual one (social gathering). It works both in spoken and written introductions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Jem'appelleRaphaelEnchanté
Subject pronoun (Je)
The first‑person singular pronoun used before a verb; always pronounced /ʒə/ before a vowel.
Reflexive verb s'appeler
The verb ‘to be called’ is reflexive; the pronoun ‘me’ contracts to m' before a vowel, giving m'appelle.
Proper noun (Raphael)
Names are not translated; keep the original spelling and pronounce according to French phonetics.
Enchanté (masc.) / Enchantée (fem.)
A polite adjective meaning ‘pleased’ used as a greeting after introductions; gender‑agree with the speaker.
🗨In Conversation
Je m'appelle Raphael. Enchanté.
My name is Raphael. Nice to meet you.
Enchantée, moi c’est Claire.
Nice to meet you, I’m Claire.
✕Common Mistakes
Je suis Raphael.
‘Je suis’ is grammatically correct but less natural for introductions; native speakers prefer ‘Je m’appelle’.
Enchanté (said by a woman).
Women must add the final ‘e’ – ‘Enchantée’ – to match gender.
Je m' appelle Raphael.
Do not separate the contraction; it must stay as m' before a vowel.
↔Alternatives
Je suis Raphael.
I am Raphael.
Ravi de vous rencontrer.
Delighted to meet you.
Je m'appelle Raphael, enchanté de faire votre connaissance.
My name is Raphael, pleased to make your acquaintance.
Cultural Tip
In French, ‘Enchanté’ is used by men; women say ‘Enchantée’ (add the extra e sound). It’s common to accompany the phrase with a firm handshake or a light cheek kiss (la bise) depending on the region and level of familiarity. Avoid over‑using it in very informal settings; a simple ‘Salut!’ may be preferred among peers.