Significado
Expressing pleasure at meeting someone, used by men/women.
Contexto cultural
In Spain, 'Encantado/a' is the standard for almost every introduction. It is almost always accompanied by two kisses on the cheeks in social settings, or a firm handshake in business. While 'Encantado' is used, 'Mucho gusto' is much more common. Using 'Encantado' can make you sound very polite, formal, or even slightly 'fresa' (posh). Argentines often prefer 'Un gusto' or 'Encantado' in formal settings. In the 'voseo' (using 'vos'), the full phrase would be 'Encantado de conocerte'. Colombians are known for being extremely polite. You might hear 'Encantado' followed by 'Para servirle' (At your service).
The Mirror Rule
If someone says 'Encantado' to you, don't repeat 'Encantado'. Say 'Igualmente' (Likewise) or 'El gusto es mío' (The pleasure is mine).
Gender Check
Always check your own gender before speaking. It's the most common mistake for beginners!
Significado
Expressing pleasure at meeting someone, used by men/women.
The Mirror Rule
If someone says 'Encantado' to you, don't repeat 'Encantado'. Say 'Igualmente' (Likewise) or 'El gusto es mío' (The pleasure is mine).
Gender Check
Always check your own gender before speaking. It's the most common mistake for beginners!
Enthusiasm Matters
Say it with a smile. Because the word literally means 'enchanted,' saying it with a flat, bored voice sounds very contradictory.
Spain vs LatAm
If you are in Spain, use 'Encantado' by default. If you are in Latin America, 'Mucho gusto' is a safer, more common choice.
Teste-se
If you are a woman meeting a new colleague, what should you say?
—Hola, soy Elena. —Hola Elena, ________.
Since the speaker is a woman, she must use the feminine form 'Encantada'.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'Encantado'.
Juan y Pedro conocen a su nuevo jefe. Ellos dicen: 'Mucho gusto, señor. Estamos ________ de conocerle'.
The subject is 'Juan y Pedro' (masculine plural), so the adjective must be 'encantados'.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
1. Encantado / 2. ¡Hola! / 3. Fue un placer
Encantado is formal for introductions; Hola is for family; Fue un placer is for goodbyes.
Complete the dialogue between Maria and a new neighbor, Pablo.
Pablo: Hola, soy Pablo, vivo en el 3B. Maria: Hola Pablo, yo soy Maria. ________.
Maria is female, so she responds with 'Encantada'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Encantado vs Mucho Gusto
Banco de exercicios
4 exercicios—Hola, soy Elena. —Hola Elena, ________.
Since the speaker is a woman, she must use the feminine form 'Encantada'.
Juan y Pedro conocen a su nuevo jefe. Ellos dicen: 'Mucho gusto, señor. Estamos ________ de conocerle'.
The subject is 'Juan y Pedro' (masculine plural), so the adjective must be 'encantados'.
1. Encantado / 2. ¡Hola! / 3. Fue un placer
Encantado is formal for introductions; Hola is for family; Fue un placer is for goodbyes.
Pablo: Hola, soy Pablo, vivo en el 3B. Maria: Hola Pablo, yo soy Maria. ________.
Maria is female, so she responds with 'Encantada'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIn traditional Spanish, you would choose the masculine 'Encantado' as the default, but some modern speakers use 'Encantade' as a gender-neutral alternative, though it is not yet officially recognized by the RAE.
Not at all! It's very common at parties when meeting friends of friends. It shows you have good manners.
'Encantado' is slightly more formal and changes for gender. 'Mucho gusto' is neutral and stays the same for everyone.
Yes, 'conocerlo' is the formal way to say 'to meet you' (referring to 'usted').
Yes, in fact, saying just the single word is the most common way to use it in a quick introduction.
No! That is 'Te amo' or 'Me encantas'. 'Encantado' just means 'Nice to meet you'.
In many Spanish accents (like in Southern Spain or the Caribbean), the 'd' between vowels is often dropped in casual speech.
It sounds a bit funny/formal with kids. With children, a simple '¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás?' is better.
Yes, it is very professional for a woman to use 'Encantada' in a business meeting.
The best responses are 'Igualmente' or 'Mucho gusto'.
Frases relacionadas
Mucho gusto
synonymPleased to meet you
Un placer
similarA pleasure
Igualmente
builds onLikewise
El gusto es mío
builds onThe pleasure is mine
Encantadísimo
specialized formVery delighted
