encantado
“encantado” means “Pleased to meet you” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
Pleased to meet you
Also: Nice to meet you
📝 In Action
Mi nombre es Elena. — ¡Encantado!
A1My name is Elena. — Pleased to meet you!
¿Conoces a mi colega, Carlos? — Sí, encantado de conocerte.
A2Do you know my colleague, Carlos? — Yes, delighted to meet you.
delighted, enchanted
Also: charmed
📝 In Action
Estaba encantado con el regalo que le hicieron.
B1He was delighted with the gift they gave him.
Dicen que hay un pozo encantado en el bosque.
B1They say there is an enchanted well in the forest.
Volvimos de las vacaciones absolutamente encantados.
B2We returned from vacation absolutely charmed (or delighted).
enchanted
Also: delighted
📝 In Action
La novela me ha encantado, la he leído dos veces.
B2The novel has delighted me; I have read it twice.
Creían que la bruja había encantado el manzano.
C1They believed the witch had enchanted the apple tree.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: encantado
Question 1 of 2
If you are female and meeting someone named Marco, what is the most appropriate response?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Late Latin *incantāre*, meaning 'to chant a magic formula over something' or 'to cast a spell.' This origin connects the modern meanings: feeling 'charmed' (delighted) or literally being 'under a charm' (magical).
First recorded: 13th century (in similar forms)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Spanish speakers sometimes say 'mucho gusto' instead of 'encantado'?
'Mucho gusto' (literally 'much pleasure') is a perfect synonym for 'encantado' when used as a greeting. Both are polite and widely understood, though 'encantado' is often perceived as slightly warmer or more active.
Does 'encantado' only refer to the past?
No, it's a past participle, but when used as a common greeting (meaning 'Pleased to meet you'), it refers to the present feeling of satisfaction you have upon meeting someone. When used in complex tenses (like 'ha encantado'), it helps describe a finished action.