What’s the difference between nice to meet you and nice to see you?

The phrases nice to meet you and nice to see you have different meanings and audiences.

“Nice to meet you” is short for “It is nice to meet you.” The audience is a person whom you are currently meeting for the first time.

Nice to meet you example
New student: Hi, I’m Carlos, and I’m here for my first class.

Teacher: Welcome, Carlos! Nice to meet you! I’m Mr. Davis. Please sit anywhere you’d like.

New student: Nice to meet you, too, Mr. Davis.

“Nice to see you” is a polite expression for a person you already know. When it’s used as a greeting, it means “It is nice to see you” (simple present tense). When it’s part of a farewell, it means “It was nice to see you” (past tense).

Nice to see you examples
Aunt: Come on in, Oliver! It’s so nice to see you! Your cousins are all waiting for you upstairs.
Nephew: It’s great to be here, Aunt Carol. Thanks for having me over today.

Party Host: Thanks for coming, James. Drive safe!
Party Guest: Later, Liz! Nice to see you!

QuillBot’s free Paraphrasing Tool can help you find other ways to say “Nice to meet you” or “Nice to see you.”