German Phrase
Freut mich
Meaning
Literally “It pleases me,” this short expression is used to say “Nice to meet you” or “I’m glad” after an introduction or when something pleases you. It’s informal but polite and works in most everyday situations.
When to use
Use it right after someone introduces themselves, after you’ve been introduced, or when you want to express that you’re happy about a situation. It’s common in both casual and semi‑formal contexts, but avoid it in very formal business meetings where a full sentence like “Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen” is preferred.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Freutmich
Verb‑Subject Inversion
‘Freut’ is the third‑person singular present of ‘freuen’. The subject ‘es’ is omitted because it’s obvious, so the verb comes first.
Accusative Pronoun
‘mich’ is the accusative form of ‘ich’ and acts as the object of ‘freuen’, meaning ‘to please me’.
🗨In Conversation
Hallo, ich bin Anna.
Hello, I’m Anna.
Freut mich, Anna!
Nice to meet you, Anna!
✕Common Mistakes
Freut mich dich.
The verb ‘freuen’ already includes the object; you don’t add ‘dich’ after ‘Freut mich’. Use either ‘Freut mich’ or ‘Freut mich, dich zu sehen’.
Freut mich, ich bin Anna.
This mixes two separate sentences. Instead say ‘Ich bin Anna. Freut mich.’
Freut mich, Sie.
When using the formal ‘Sie’, you need a full clause: ‘Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.’
↔Alternatives
Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen
I’m pleased to meet you (formal)
Schön, dich kennenzulernen
Nice to meet you (informal)
Freut mich, dich zu sehen
Glad to see you
Cultural Tip
In German-speaking countries, a brief “Freut mich” is perfectly acceptable after a quick introduction, especially among peers or in casual settings. In more formal contexts—such as business introductions or when speaking with older people—add the polite “Sie” and a full clause: “Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.” The phrase can also be used on its own to acknowledge a pleasant surprise, e.g., after hearing good news.