How to use "nice" in English: 9 natural lines, 3 from movies

Hana and Theo, animated characters from the MicroEnglish Short: How to use "nice" in English: 9 natural lines, 3 from movies

Read the full lesson on MicroEnglish (free): the video, tone notes for every line, example dialogues and a quiz.

Today, "nice" means pleasant, kind, or good. Use "Nice one." to praise a good idea, "So nice." to thank someone who is kind, and "Nice to meet you." when you meet someone for the first time. Six more everyday lines follow, including "That's nice of you." and "Nice to see you." for people you already know.

Watch the Short

Hana looks at Theo's new design and says, "It's nice," then adds that in old French "nice" meant foolish. Theo is worried that his best design ever is foolish. Hana says, "Nice one, Theo," and promises she means the modern meaning, so Theo decides to stop redesigning the other nine.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xIWS4irdVyY

Watch it on YouTube

The lines at a glance

  1. Nice one. (Casual praise)
  2. So nice. (Warm and grateful)
  3. Nice to meet you. (Polite first meeting)
  4. Nice to see you. (Friendly greeting)
  5. That's nice of you. (Grateful, polite)
  6. Have a nice day. (Polite goodbye)
  7. It was nice talking to you. (Friendly ending)
  8. Nice try. (Teasing or encouraging)
  9. Nice work. (Simple praise)

1. Nice one.

Tone: Casual praise

Say it quickly when someone has a good idea, makes a smart move, or does something well. It is friendly and informal, so don't use it in a formal email or with a senior manager you don't know well.

In the film Green Street (2005):

Nice one.

For example:

A: I booked the table for seven, so we can leave work on time.

B: Nice one. I was worried we'd be late.

2. So nice.

Tone: Warm and grateful

Say it when someone does something kind for you, or when you enjoy a pleasant moment. It shows real feeling, so it can sound strange if you use it for something small and routine.

In the film Like Crazy (2011):

So nice.

For example:

A: I made you some tea while you were on the phone.

B: Oh, so nice. Thank you.

3. Nice to meet you.

Tone: Polite first meeting

Use it the first time you meet someone, usually right after you hear their name. It works at work and in social life. Don't use it with someone you have met before.

In the film The Usual Suspects (1995):

Nice to meet you.

For example:

A: This is Maria. She's joining our team on Monday.

B: Hi, Maria. Nice to meet you.

A: Nice to meet you too.

4. Nice to see you.

Tone: Friendly greeting

Use it when you meet someone you already know. It is polite and warm. For a first meeting, use "Nice to meet you." instead.

For example:

A: Hi, Sam! It's been months.

B: Nice to see you! How have you been?

5. That's nice of you.

Tone: Grateful, polite

Say it when someone offers help or does something kind. It thanks the person for their kindness. It fits most situations, at work and with friends.

For example:

A: I can drive you to the station if you want.

B: That's nice of you. Thanks.

6. Have a nice day.

Tone: Polite goodbye

Use it at the end of a short conversation, for example in a shop or with a neighbor. It is polite but a little routine, so with close friends you may want something warmer.

For example:

A: Here's your receipt.

B: Thanks. Have a nice day.

A: You too.

7. It was nice talking to you.

Tone: Friendly ending

Use it to end a conversation politely, especially with someone you just met or don't see often. It signals that you are ready to leave without sounding cold.

For example:

A: I should go. My train leaves soon.

B: Of course. It was nice talking to you.

8. Nice try.

Tone: Teasing or encouraging

Use it when someone tries but does not succeed. With a friendly voice it encourages. It can also sound teasing when someone tries to trick you, so be careful with people you don't know well.

For example:

A: Can I have the last piece of cake? I did all the dishes.

B: Nice try. You did two plates.

9. Nice work.

Tone: Simple praise

Use it to praise a job someone has finished. It is a little more neutral than "Nice one." and works well with colleagues.

For example:

A: I finished the report and sent it to the client.

B: Nice work. That was fast.

Common mistakes

Not quite: Nice to meet you again.
Better: Nice to see you again.
"Meet" is for the first time you meet someone. When you already know the person, use "see."

Not quite: It's very nice for you to help me.
Better: It's very nice of you to help me.
When you describe someone's kind action, use "nice of you." "Nice for you" means something is good for that person.

Not quite: Such nice!
Better: So nice!
Use "so" before an adjective alone. Use "such" before an adjective with a noun, as in "such a nice day."

Quick quiz

1. A colleague finds a quick fix for a problem. Which line is the most natural quick praise?

  1. Nice to meet you.
  2. Nice one.
  3. Have a nice day.

2. You meet your friend's sister for the first time. What do you say?

  1. Nice to see you again.
  2. Nice try.
  3. Nice to meet you.

3. A neighbor brings you soup when you are sick. Which reply shows warm thanks?

  1. So nice.
  2. Nice try.
  3. Nice work.

4. Your friend tries to get out of washing the dishes with a weak excuse. Which line fits?

  1. Nice to meet you.
  2. Nice try.
  3. That's nice of you.

5. Which sentence is correct?

  1. It's nice for you to wait for me.
  2. It's nice of you to wait for me.
  3. It's nice with you to wait for me.

Practise with MicroEnglish lessons

Questions learners ask

What is the difference between "Nice to meet you" and "Nice to see you"?

Use "Nice to meet you" the first time you meet someone. Use "Nice to see you" with someone you already know. If you are not sure whether you have met before, "Nice to see you" is the safer choice.

Is "Nice one" rude or sarcastic?

Usually it is friendly, casual praise for a good idea or a good move. Your tone decides the meaning, so a flat or slow voice can make it sound sarcastic. Keep it for friends and colleagues, not formal writing.

Did "nice" always mean pleasant?

No. In the Short, Hana explains that in old French the word meant foolish. Today, "nice" means pleasant, kind, or good, and that is the meaning you should use.

How do I say goodbye with "nice"?

After a first meeting, you can say "It was nice to meet you" or "It was nice talking to you." In a shop or with a neighbor, "Have a nice day" is a common polite goodbye.

Quiz answers

  1. Nice one. "Nice one." is casual praise for a good idea or a good move.
  2. Nice to meet you. "Nice to meet you." is the polite line for a first meeting.
  3. So nice. "So nice." is warm and grateful, and fits a kind action.
  4. Nice try. "Nice try." can tease someone whose attempt did not work.
  5. It's nice of you to wait for me. Use "nice of you" to thank someone for a kind action.

Film lines are short quotes for language teaching; the dialogue belongs to its rightsholders. Hana and Theo are animated characters made with Google Flow. More from MicroEnglish: all our channels.

Read the full lesson on MicroEnglish (free): the video, tone notes for every line, example dialogues and a quiz.

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