Writing letters in French
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ScribdTranslationsWriting letters in French
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ScribdTranslationsHow to write letters in French
The date
City, the [day in numbers] [month in letters, without capitalization] [year in numbers]
Example:
Bordeaux, February 18, 2017
REMEMBER: in French, 'de' is not used anywhere in the date.
2. The header
It is placed to the left, followed by a comma, not by a colon, as in Spanish, and it
start the letter on the next line.
–PERSONAL LETTER
Dear/Dear/Dears/My dear/My dear/My dears + number(s) or relationship,
Examples:
My dear Nathalie,
My dear cousins,
Dear friends,
–INFORMAL, INTIMATE LETTER
Hi! / Hey! / Hi Name,
FORMAL LETTER
Sir, / Madam, / Miss, (the last name can be added: Madam Durand,)
IMPORTANT: In the formal letter, in the closing, you should repeat the same form as
You used the header: if you started with 'Madame, Monsieur,' in your formula of
farewell, you should also use 'Madam, Sir,'.
3. Formulas to start
Informal Letters
I am writing to tell you that... I am writing to tell you that...
Thank you very much for your letter Thank you very much for your letter
Sorry for not writing sooner.
but... but...
I have received your letter. I have received your letter
Nice to see you again I am glad to see you again.
Just a little word to tell you that... This short letter is to tell you that...
FORMAL LETTERS
INTRODUCE THE REASON FOR THE LETTER:
I am sending you this letter for you I am sending you this email to ask you to/
ask... ask him/her...
I am writing to you about... I am writing to you about...
Following your advertisement published in... Regarding the announcement published in...
REQUEST INFORMATION:
Could you give me some
information about...? Could you give me information about...?
I would like information about... I would like information about...
Could you tell me...? Could you tell me if...?
TO GIVE THANKS:
I want to thank you for... I want to thank you for...
I wanted to express my
recognition for... I wanted to express my gratitude for...
FILE A COMPLAINT:
I am writing to inform you about... I am writing to inform you about...
I am writing to let you know that...
I would like to convey my I would like to express my discontent regarding
dissatisfaction regarding... of...
INVITE:
I have the pleasure/honor to invite you to... I have the pleasure/honor of inviting you to...
We are organizing... and we would be delighted to have you.
count among us with you.
COMMUNICATE A NEWS:
I am pleased to announce that
announcement of... to inform you that...
I regret to inform you that/
you announce that... I regret to inform you that / to announce to you that…
4. Formulas to finish (before goodbye)
Informal Letters
That's all for now That's all for now
Write to me quickly Write to me soon
I'm waiting/Send me news about you I hope/Bring me news from you
Say hello to... Send regards to...
Kiss...for me Give kisses from me to...
FORMAL LETTERS
You can reach me at the number of You can contact me at the phone/to the
phone/to the address above address indicated above
I am at your disposal for more I remain at your disposal for more.
ample information information
Thank you for your interest/attention
Thanking you for... Thanking you.../Giving thanks for...
Thank you in advance, Thanking you in advance,
Awaiting a response from your
Pending a response from you, response,
I would be grateful if you could
to inform me about... I would appreciate it if you could inform me about...
Hoping that you will follow up
favorable to my Waiting for you to give a response
request/complaint/solicitation favorable to my request/claim,
Thanking you in advance for your Thanking you in advance for your
understanding understanding
5. Farewell
Informal Letter
See you soon
Kisses / Big kisses / Sweet kisses / Big sweet kisses (sweet kisses are more intimate than kisses)
FORMAL LETTER
I beg you to believe, Madam, Sir, in the expression of my greetings.
distinguished.
Please believe, Sir, in the expression of my distinguished greetings,
Receive, Madam, my sincere greetings,
express empathy or closeness
THE MOST FORMAL:
Please accept, Sirs, my distinguished salutations.
Please accept, Madam, Sir, the expression of my distinguished feelings.
