Questions & Answers about Jeg er glad for at have mødt dig.
Why do we need the word for here? Couldn't I just say Jeg er glad at...?
In Danish, the adjective glad (happy/glad) usually pairs with the preposition for when you are happy about something. When linking it to an infinitive phrase (like at have mødt), you must keep the preposition, making it glad for at.
Why use at have mødt instead of just at møde?
at have mødt (to have met) shows that the action already happened. If you said Jeg er glad for at møde dig, it would mean you are glad to meet them right now. Using the perfect infinitive (have + past participle) emphasizes that the meeting is an event that has already been completed.
How do I know whether to use mødt or mødte?
mødt is the past participle, which is the form you use after helping verbs like har or have (as in have mødt). mødte is the simple past tense, used when the verb stands on its own (like Jeg mødte dig i går - I met you yesterday).
Is this a normal way to say 'nice to meet you' when you first shake hands?
No, because of the past focus (have mødt), this is something you would say at the end of a conversation or event when you are saying goodbye. If you are just being introduced to someone, you would usually say Hyggeligt at møde dig.