20 Other Ways to Say “Nice to See You Again” (With Examples)

We’ve all been there. You run into an old friend, a colleague, or even a distant relative, and the words “Nice to see you again” slip out almost automatically. While this phrase is perfectly fine, sometimes we want to shake things up a bit. Whether you’re reconnecting with someone in a professional setting or just bumping into an old pal, here are 20 fresh alternatives to express your joy at crossing paths once more.

Is it professional to say “Nice to see you again”?

Yes, it’s professional to say “Nice to see you again” at work when meeting someone after a while. It’s polite and shows you remember them. This phrase is good because it’s friendly but not too personal. It helps start talks in a positive way. While it’s generally safe to use, remember that how you say it matters too. Overall, it’s a good choice for most work situations when reconnecting with people.

What to Say instead of “Nice to see you again”

• What a pleasant surprise!
• It’s been too long!
• What a delightful coincidence!
• Look who it is!
• It’s great to cross paths with you again!
• Well, well, well, look who’s here!
• It’s been a minute!
• What a joy to see you again!
• Fancy meeting you here!
• It’s so good to reconnect!
• You’re a sight for sore eyes!
• Look what the cat dragged in!
• As I live and breathe!
• Well, aren’t you a welcome surprise!
• If it isn’t my old partner in crime!
• I was just thinking about you!
• You haven’t changed a bit!
• What brings you to this neck of the woods?
• It’s like no time has passed!
• Fancy bumping into you here!

1. What a pleasant surprise:

“What a pleasant surprise” captures the unexpected delight of serendipitous meetings. It’s perfect for those chance encounters that brighten your day. When you use this expression, 

you’re not just acknowledging the person; you’re telling them that their presence has made your day better. It works well in both casual and professional settings, adding a touch of warmth to your greeting.

Example:

[Instagram comment]

SarahJones:

Just bumped into my old college roommate at the grocery store! What a pleasant surprise! 

2. It’s been too long:

Here’s a friendly way to acknowledge the time that’s passed since your last meeting. This phrase expresses genuine pleasure in seeing the person again while hinting at a desire to catch up. 

It’s an excellent ice-breaker that can lead to a longer conversation about what you’ve both been up to since you last met.

Example:

[Text message]

Hey Mark! It’s been too long! Just saw you across the street but you were on a call. Let’s grab coffee soon and catch up properly. How’s next week looking for you?

3. What a delightful coincidence:

This expression adds a touch of sophistication to your greeting. It’s perfect for those unexpected encounters that feel almost magical. By using this phrase, 

you’re not only expressing joy at seeing the person but also acknowledging the special nature of your chance meeting. It’s a great way to start a conversation on a positive note.

Example:

[Email]

Subject: 

What a delightful coincidence!

Dear Ms. Thompson,

I hope this email finds you well. I couldn’t help but reach out after our chance encounter at the conference yesterday. What a delightful coincidence to run into you there! I’d love to continue our conversation about the new project ideas you mentioned…

4. Look who it is:

This casual and enthusiastic expression is perfect for informal settings or when you’re genuinely excited to see someone. It’s a bit cheeky and playful, making it ideal for rekindling connections with old friends or close colleagues. 

This phrase immediately sets a light-hearted tone for your interaction and can help break the ice if there’s any initial awkwardness.

Example:

[Facebook post]

Just walked into my favorite coffee shop and look who it is! My high school bestie Jake, visiting from across the country. Time for an impromptu reunion and some serious catching up! ☕️🎉

5. It’s great to cross paths with you again:

This alternative is slightly more formal than some others, making it suitable for professional interactions or situations where you want to maintain a bit of distance.

It’s a warm acknowledgment of your shared history without being overly familiar. This phrase also implies a sense of continuity, suggesting that your paths might cross again in the future.

Example:

[LinkedIn message]

Hello Dr. Patel,

It’s great to cross paths with you again at the medical conference! Your presentation on recent advancements in cardiology was truly enlightening. I’d love to discuss potential collaboration opportunities if you have a moment during the networking session later.

Best regards,

Alex

6. Well, well, well, look who’s here:

This playful and slightly dramatic greeting is perfect for casual encounters with good friends or family members. It’s a fun way to express surprise and delight at seeing someone unexpectedly. 

This phrase often comes with a big smile and maybe even a hug, setting the stage for a warm and friendly interaction.

Example:

[Comment on a friend’s vacation photo]

Well, well, well, look who’s here! Fancy seeing you at my favorite beach spot, Lisa! Hope you’re soaking up the sun and having a blast. We definitely need to plan our next trip together! 🏖️😎

7. It’s been a minute:

This cool and casual expression is a great way to acknowledge that some time has passed since you last met, without making it sound too serious. It’s perfect for rekindling connections with friends or acquaintances you haven’t seen in a while. 

This phrase is particularly popular among younger generations and in more relaxed social settings.

Example:

[Text message]

Yo Chris! It’s been a minute! Just spotted you at the gym. Looking good, man! We should catch up over protein shakes sometime. How’s the new job treating you?

8. What a joy to see you again:

This heartfelt greeting expresses genuine pleasure at reuniting with someone. It’s perfect for both personal and professional situations where you want to convey warmth and sincerity. 

By using the word “joy,” you’re emphasizing the positive emotions associated with seeing this person again, which can really brighten their day.

Example:

[Email]

Subject: 

A Joyful Reunion

Dear Emma,

What a joy to see you again at yesterday’s charity event! Your passion for environmental conservation continues to inspire me. I’d love to hear more about the new initiatives you mentioned. Perhaps we could schedule a call next week to discuss how I might be able to contribute?

Warm regards,

Michael

9. Fancy meeting you here:

“Fancy meeting you here” adds a touch of charm to your greeting. It’s perfect for those unexpected surprise encounters in unusual places. By using this expression, 

you’re not only acknowledging the person but also the unique circumstances of your meeting. It often leads to conversations about what brought both of you to that particular place.

Example:

[Instagram Story]

Caption: 

Fancy meeting you here, Tom! Who knew we’d both be Coldplay fans? 🎵🎉

10. It’s so good to reconnect:

This warm and friendly expression is perfect for situations where you’re intentionally reaching out to someone after a period of no contact. It acknowledges the gap in your communication while expressing happiness about rekindling connections. 

This phrase works well in both personal and professional contexts, especially when you’re trying to reestablish a relationship.

Example:

[LinkedIn message]

Dear Jennifer,

It’s so good to reconnect! I noticed your recent post about your company’s expansion into sustainable tech, and it immediately brought back memories of our passionate discussions on green energy during our university days. 

I’d love to hear more about your current projects. Would you be open to a virtual coffee catch-up sometime next week?

Best regards,

David

11. You’re a sight for sore eyes:

“You’re a sight for sore eyes” means seeing the person makes you happy. It’s like saying their presence brightens your day. You can use this with old friends or family you haven’t seen in a while. 

It shows you really missed them. This saying works well in casual settings and can make the other person feel special and valued.

Example:

[Text message]

Mom: Just got your surprise visit video from Dad. You’re a sight for sore eyes, sweetie! Can’t wait to hug you this weekend. 🤗❤️

12. Look what the cat dragged in:

This playful saying is used when someone appears unexpectedly. It’s a fun, slightly teasing way to greet an old friend. Be careful though – only use it with people you know well who will get the joke. It’s perfect for casual settings and can start a conversation with lots of laughs.

Example:

[Comment on a surprise party photo]

Alex: 

Look what the cat dragged in! Jamie, you sneaky devil, I can’t believe you made it to the party! 🎉😂 Your face in this pic is priceless. We’ve got some serious catching up to do!

13. As I live and breathe:

“As I live and breathe” shows surprise and joy at seeing someone. It’s like saying, “I can’t believe my eyes!” Use it when you’re really amazed to see someone, especially after a long time. It adds a touch of drama to your greeting and can make the other person feel very welcome.

Example:

[Social media post]

Just ran into my childhood neighbor at the airport. As I live and breathe, it’s Mrs. Johnson ! Still as sprightly as ever at 80. 👵🏼✈️

14. Well, aren’t you a welcome surprise:

This friendly greeting shows you’re happy to see someone unexpectedly. It’s like saying their presence is a nice surprise that makes you glad. 

You can use this in both casual and slightly formal situations. It’s a great way to start a positive interaction and make the other person feel appreciated.

Example:

[Email]

Subject: 

A Pleasant Surprise at the Conference

Dear Dr. Lee,

Well, aren’t you a welcome surprise! I wasn’t expecting to see a familiar face at yesterday’s AI Ethics panel. Your insights on data privacy were fascinating. I’d love to discuss this further over coffee if you have time this week.

Best regards,

Sarah

15. If it isn’t my old partner in crime:

This fun greeting is perfect for close friends you haven’t seen in a while. It hints at shared experiences or adventures from the past. 

Use it with someone you have a history of good times with. This phrase can instantly bring back happy memories and set a tone for reliving old stories or making new ones.

Example:

[Instagram comment]

MikeAdventures: If it isn’t my old partner in crime! Zoe, seeing your hiking pics makes me miss our college backpacking days. We need to plan a reunion trek ASAP! 🏔️🥾 

16. I was just thinking about you:

This warm greeting shows the person was on your mind recently. It makes them feel important and remembered. 

You can use this in many situations, from bumping into an old classmate to seeing a work colleague. It’s a great way to start a conversation and catch up on recent events.

Example:

[LinkedIn message]

Hi Rajesh,

I was just thinking about you! Your recent article on sustainable business practices popped up in my feed. It reminded me of our discussions during the leadership seminar last year. 

Would love to hear more about your current projects. Are you free for a quick call next week?

Best,

Emma

17. You haven’t changed a bit:

This friendly compliment suggests the person looks the same as when you last met. It’s often used when meeting after a long time. 

Be careful though – some people might not take it well if they’ve tried to change their appearance. Use it sincerely when someone really does look great after a long time.

Example:

[Facebook comment on a high school reunion photo]

You haven’t changed a bit, Jessica! Still rocking that million-dollar smile. 😄 It was so great catching up at the reunion. Let’s not wait another 10 years before we meet again!

18. What brings you to this neck of the woods?

This casual phrase is used when you meet someone in an unexpected place. It’s a friendly way to ask why they’re there. “Neck of the woods” means area or neighborhood. 

This greeting works well for surprise meetings and can lead to interesting conversations about what you’re both doing there.

Example:

[Text message]

Hey Chris! What brings you to this neck of the woods? Just saw you at the farmer’s market. I didn’t know you were a fan of organic produce too! Want to grab a coffee and catch up?

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19. It’s like no time has passed:

Use this when reuniting with someone and the conversation flows easily. It means you still connect well, despite not seeing each other for a while. 

This phrase celebrates the strength of your relationship. It’s great for old friends or colleagues who pick up right where they left off.

Example:

[Email]

Subject:

Great to Reconnect!

Dear Olivia,

Thank you for the wonderful lunch yesterday. It’s like no time has passed! I’m so glad we could pick up our mentoring sessions again. Your advice on the new project is invaluable. Looking forward to our next meeting!

Warm regards,

Daniel

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20. Fancy bumping into you here:

This lively greeting works great for surprise meetings in unexpected places. It’s a friendly way to show you’re happy to see someone by chance. The word “fancy” adds a touch of playful surprise to your greeting. 

You can use this phrase in many settings, from running into a coworker at a concert to seeing an old friend at the grocery store. It often leads to fun chats about why you’re both there.

Example:

[WhatsApp message]

Hey Taylor! Fancy bumping into you here at the dog park! 🐶 I had no idea you got a puppy too. We should set up a playdate for our furry friends. How about next Saturday morning? Let me know if you’re free!

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