Pleased to meet you. (formal)
PIA-ce-re di co-NOS-cer-la — stress on 'pia-', 'nos-'. 'Piacere' has four syllables: PIA-ce-re.
The essential formal greeting when meeting parents or elderly relatives of a partner. Always use 'lei' (formal) with parents unless invited to use 'tu'.
'Piacere di conoscerla' = pleased to meet you (formal). 'Conoscerla' uses the formal 'lei' — 'conoscere' + 'la'. This is the correct form for a first meeting with elders. Switching to informal too soon can be seen as disrespectful.
Felice di conoscerla finalmente.
Happy to finally meet you.
'Finalmente' adds warmth — your partner has talked about them and you are glad to now put a face to the name
Ho sentito molto parlare di lei.
I've heard a lot about you (formal).
Shows their child talks about them fondly — very well received
È un piacere poter fare la sua conoscenza.
It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Very formal — appropriate for very traditional or older families
Meeting the family ('la famiglia') is one of the most significant steps in Italian relationships. Italian parents hold enormous social authority and their approval matters deeply. Arriving with a gift, using formal titles, and being visibly respectful sets the tone for everything that follows.