Очень приятно - literally "very pleasant." Two words, universal in any setting, and the expected response after any Russian introduction.
After someone tells you their name - Меня зовут Анна - you say Очень приятно. That's it. It works with everyone: strangers, your boss, your partner's parents, a new colleague.
The short version, just Приятно, works in casual settings. And the echo response - when both people say Очень приятно to each other - is completely normal. It's not awkward; it's expected.
A typical introduction sequence: Привет, меня зовут Анна. → Очень приятно, меня зовут Дмитрий. → Очень приятно! → conversation begins.
Приятно is a short-form neuter adjective used as a predicate - it describes a state, not a thing. The full sentence would be Мне очень приятно (To me it's very pleasant), using the dative мне. Russian frequently drops the pronoun when it's obvious: [Мне] очень приятно. This "dative + short adjective" pattern is how Russian expresses feelings: Мне холодно (I'm cold), Мне интересно (I'm interested), Мне приятно (I'm pleased). The feeling happens to you - you don't do it.
From casual to ceremonial.
| Russian | Pronunciation | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Очень приятно | Ochen' priyatno | "Very pleasant." Universal default. Any setting. |
| Приятно | Priyatno | "Pleasant." Shorter, casual. Between peers. |
| Приятно познакомиться | Priyatno poznakomit'sya | "Nice to make acquaintance." Slightly more formal than Очень приятно. |
| Рад / Рада познакомиться | Rad / Rada poznakomit'sya | "Glad to meet you." Рад (male speaker), Рада (female speaker). Formal. |
| Будем знакомы! | Budem znakomy! | "Let's be acquainted!" Warm, friendly. After names are exchanged. |
| Мне очень приятно с вами познакомиться | Mne ochen' priyatno s vami poznakomit'sya | "It's very pleasant to make your acquaintance." Full formal. Business, ceremonies. |
| Взаимно | Vzaimno | "Likewise / Mutual." Response when someone says Очень приятно first. |
Handshakes are gendered. Men shake hands when meeting. Men don't typically initiate a handshake with women - it's the woman's choice to extend her hand. If she does, it might be a lighter grip. In business settings this is changing, but in social contexts the old pattern holds.
Cheek-kissing between women. Female friends and acquaintances often greet each other with a cheek kiss (one or two, depending on closeness). Between a man and woman who know each other well, a cheek kiss is also common. Between men - only very close friends or family, often older generation or Caucasus culture.
Рад vs Рада reveals your gender. If you say Рад познакомиться, you've identified yourself as male. Рада = female. This is unavoidable - Russian short adjectives agree with the speaker's gender. Очень приятно is gender-neutral if you want to avoid this.
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