mikuji wrote:In one of the lessons 夏子さんrecommended this expression after meeting someone for the first time.
I have two questions:
1) is 会えて the -te form of the potential for the verb 会う ?- that is can we use the -te form from the potential? This would translate as- 'So glad I WAS ABLE to meet you'
2) if this expression indicates pleasure at the end of a first encounter should I always used the formal です at the end or/and when would it be Ok to use the shortened 会えてよかった as used by 夏子さん in the lesson.
よろしくお願いします
mikuji
If you have a question about a simple phrase like this, just try Space ALC, as their example sentences cover just about every pleasantry known to man.
http://tinyurl.com/ja9w7The exact literal translation is, as you said, "It was good to be able to meet with you."
The level of politeness you use when speaking Japanese doesn't depend merely on how well you know the person, but also age, rank, etc. For example, if I meet someone for the first time in a bar, I usually wouldn't use です unless they are obviously much older than me.
とにかく、Natsukoさん：゛夏子さん゛と書いてもういいですか？
There are numerous ways to write this name. If you don't know how to write it, just use katakana.
One more thing, you shouldn't be using "とにかく" here, as it basically means "let's put that matter aside, let's move on, anyway, etc." You should use "ところで" which means "also, by the way, etc.".
