A quick question: let's get acquainted or let's get to know each other?
"Let's get acquainted" is the topic of Unit 1 in a textbook for 12 year old schoolchildren. Is it a usual one? I have thought so because I haven't heard this frase since... well, never, I guess. To me it sounds a bit too formal and I'd like to ask for a native speaker's opinion.

I also wonder, is "let's get to know each other" too colloquial and thus cannot be present in a textbook?

Question

A quick question: let's get acquainted or let's get to know each other?
"Let's get acquainted" is the topic of Unit 1 in a textbook for 12 year old schoolchildren. Is it a usual one? I have thought so because I haven't heard this frase since... well, never,  I guess. To me it sounds a bit too formal and I'd like to ask for a native speaker's opinion.

I also wonder, is "let's get to know each other" too colloquial and thus cannot be present in a textbook?

Answer

“Get” is not formal in general, and neither is “get acquainted”. There are more formal expressions such as “make the acquaintance of” and “become acquainted with” though.

None of these uses of “acquainted” generally replace “get to know each other” though they are similar.

“We got to know each other like brothers” (We knew each other really well, as if we were family)
“We got acquainted like brothers” No.

Answer

To me, the meaning isn’t very different. It’s only a matter of formality. “Get acquainted” is a bit more formal.

Answer

"get to know each other" has a deeper meaning than "get acquainted". I wouldn't say it's awfully formal, in many cases it's the only way to express the meaning and "get to know" won't do.