by Emilie Bled
Published on April 12, 2024
How to write an email in French?
In today’s world, we can’t escape digital communications. Whether you are a student of French, a seasoned professional or a traveler looking to find out more about that hostel in Marseille, knowing how to write an email in French is a skillset to have. Depending on the recipients of your email and of the content, your tone and style adjust. To make the right impression or obtain what you asked for, it is important to know how to navigate the world of emails in the French language. In this guide, we cover how to start, write and end an email, both formally and informally.
Be it for first-time contacts, professional communications or addressing anyone in a superior position, formal emails in French follow certain rules you don’t want to forget about. Failing to follow these will result in a sloppy-sounding and unprofessional piece of communication.
You should always start with a formal greeting:
| French | English |
| A l’attention de | For the attention of |
| Monsieur, Madame | Dear Madam / Sir |
| Messieurs | Dear Sirs |
| Chers collègues | Dear colleagues |
| Monsieur le Directeur | Dear Mr Director |
| Madame la Directrice | Dear Mrs Director |
| Monsieur le Président | Dear Mr President |
| Madame la Présidente | Dear Mrs President |
| A qui de droit | To whom it may concern |
Following your greeting, state the reason why you are reaching out. Remember to keep your message polite and respectful, but still to the point. Below are different approaches to the body of your email:
| French | English |
| Je vous écris au sujet de… | I am writing to you regarding… |
| Suite à… | Following… |
| En référence à… | In reference to… |
| Je m’adresse à vous pour… | I am writing you to… |
| French | English |
| Je tiens à vous remercier… | I would like to thank you for… |
| J’aimerais vous remercier de… | I would like to thank you for… |
| Je vous remercie pour votre email du (date) | I thank you for your email from (date) |
| Merci de m’avoir reçu dans vos bureaux | Thank you for having me in your offices |
| Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today | Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today |
| French | English |
| Je vous présente mes excuses pour (…) | I would like to apologize for (…) |
| Veuillez nous excuser / Veuillez m’excuser pour le retard | Please accept our / my apologies for the delay |
If starting an email correctly is important in French, ending it the same way is also essential. Here are the right formulas.
| French | English |
| Cordialement | Best regards |
| Cordialement | Kind regards |
| Avec mes remerciements | With thanks |
| Cordialement | Sincerely |
| En attendant une réponse de votre part, je vous prie d’agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l’expression de mes salutations distinguées | I look forward to hearing from you. Your faithfully |
| En attendant une réponse de votre part, veuillez accepter mes sentiments les meilleurs. | I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely. |
| Dans l’attente de votre réponse, veuillez accepter l’expression de mes sentiments les meilleurs. | I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully/sincerely. |
| Je vous prie d’agréer, Monsieur / Madame, l’assurance de ma considération la plus distinguée. | Please accept, Sir/Madam, the assurance of my highest consideration. |
| Veuillez agréer, Monsieur / Madame, mes salutations les plus sincères. | Please accept, Sir / Madam, my most sincere regards. |
While texts, a short call or a voice note are faster ways to communicate among peers, you’ll still find yourself sending the occasional email. When your recipients are friends or a close work colleague to whom you want to forward a document, the style and tone of your email in French also relaxes.
Openings are more casual:
| French | English |
| Cher, Chère | Dear |
| Salut | Hello, Hi |
| Coucou | Hi |
The text leading to your core message is also informal:
| French | English |
| Comment ça va ? | How are you? |
| Quoi de neuf ? | What’s new? |
| J’espère que tu / vous allez bien. | I hope you are all doing well. |
| Je t’écris pour… | I am writing you to… |
| Merci pour… | Thank you for… |
To end your informal email with a sense of warmth and friendliness, here are some expressions you can use:
| French | English |
| Bonne journée | Have a nice day |
| À bientôt or À plus (A+) | See you soon |
| Bon weekend | Have a good weekend |
| Bises or Bisous | Kisses |
| Grosses bises | Big kisses |
| Tous mes voeux | All my wishes |
If you were wondering how to write an email in French, there you have it. Drafting formal and informal emails in French is an invaluable skill for effective communication in both professional or personal correspondence. When you consider your context, the nuances of the language will also follow accordingly and you will ensure to avoid any slip-ups in your digital communication.
