by Jakob Straub
Updated on October 7, 2024
How to write an email in German: Tips for formal and informal emails
When you’re not yet fluent in German, having a conversation in person or on the phone can be daunting. Luckily, you can deal with many matters, formal or informal, via email. However, this form of communication is not without its pitfalls: Writing an email in German raises questions of formality, tone and proper address.
Our guide will show you how to properly address someone in a German email, how to write formally and informally, and how to close so you can get a reply as soon as possible. Last, check our useful phrases for writing an email in German to avoid grammar mistakes.
Before you compose an email in German, you’ll have to consider whether you’re going to address the recipient in formal or informal language. The English second-person pronoun “you” translates into Sie or du in the singular and Sie or ihr in the plural, in case you’re writing to more than one person at the same time (formal and informal, respectively).
In a business email, a job application or any sort of formal inquiry, the formal address is usually a safe bet, especially when you haven’t met in person. Exceptions could be when the person has already addressed you informally or you don’t want to come across as square or stiff. In a start-up environment with flat hierarchies, for example, it could be common to address each other informally and on a first-name basis.
This brings us to the second part of how to address your email recipient in German: You’ll have to choose between their first or last name. Again, in formal circumstances in Germany, using the last name to address a person is usually appropriate, but look for clues that might indicate otherwise, like how they addressed you, how formal their online profile is or how formal the matter is.
To begin your German email with a formal salutation, consider using:
A more informal email salutation can still include the last name or be on a first-name basis:
Throughout the body or main text of your German email, you’ll then repeat the chosen form of addressing the email recipient. You don’t have to repeat their name and title every single time, but you definitely need to stick with either du or Sie. Note that the salutation ends in a comma and the first sentence of your email is then NOT capitalized. Yes, German is full of these rules; master them by learning German fast!
Write your formal German email in a reserved and polite manner, avoiding spelling and grammar mistakes and slang or derogatory language. For most subjects, you can get straight to the point and don’t have to beat around the bush or talk about the weather. After all, life is short.
When writing to a friend or casual acquaintance, you can take many more liberties, depending on how well you know each other. Emoticons and emojis are definitely acceptable in that setting, as well as informal language, jokes and asides.
There’s less reason to be brief, but same as in a formal setting, if you want someone to take action or need a certain response, clearly communicate deadlines and expectations to avoid frustration and unnecessary back-and-forth.
After you’ve written the body of your German email and checked for any spelling errors and grammar mistakes, it’s time to sign off properly. Just like with the salutation at the beginning, it’s important you choose the formal or informal phrase. Note that, unlike in English, with all the following expressions you don’t use a comma in German before signing your name.
If you’re still poring over what to write in the body of your email, here are a few phrases that might come in handy for composing your email in German.
| GERMAN | ENGLISH |
| Ich schreibe Ihnen weil… | I am writing to you because … |
| Bitte haben Sie Verständnis, dass… | Please understand that… |
| Es tut mir leid, aber… | I am sorry, but… |
| Es geht um Folgendes: | It is all about: |
| Ich habe folgendes Anliegen: | I have the following request: |
| Ich antworte auf Ihre E-Mail vom… | I am answering your email from… |
| Ich würde gerne klären, ob… | I would like to clarify whether… |
| Zur Sache: | Regarding: |
| Ich erinnere an mein Schreiben vom… | I’d like to remind you of my correspondence dated … |
| Bitte lassen Sie mich wissen, ob… | Please let me know if … |
| Vielen Dank für Ihre schnelle Antwort. | Thank you for your quick response. |
| Ich hoffe, bald von Ihnen zu hören. | I hope to hear from you soon. |
| Vielen Dank für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit und beste Grüße | Thank you for your attention and best regards |
| Bei weiteren Fragen stehe ich Ihnen gerne zur Verfügung. | For further information do not hesitate to contact me. |
| Vielen dank im Voraus für Ihre schnelle Antwort. | Thank you in advance for your quick reply. |
Finally, before hitting that send button, check your spelling one more time. Rely on the spelling and dictionary functions of your email; Gmail will underline misspelled words, even in German. Make sure your proper signature and attachments are in place. Speaking of attachments: learn how to write a resume in English for German job applications.
Are you looking for a classic form of communication, or do you need to send something in the regular mail? Learn how to write a letter in German.
