Writing Emails and Letters (Écrire des emails et des lettres)

Written communication in French follows specific conventions that differ significantly from English. Whether you are writing a formal business email, a friendly message to a host family, or a letter of complaint, knowing the right formulas and structures is essential. This lesson covers both formal and informal written French.

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Formal Email Structure

A formal French email follows this structure:

1. L'objet (Subject Line)

French	English
Demande de renseignements	Request for information
Candidature au poste de...	Application for the position of...
Réclamation — commande n° 12345	Complaint — order no. 12345
Confirmation de réservation	Booking confirmation

2. La formule d'appel (Opening Greeting)

French	When to Use
Madame, Monsieur,	When you do not know who you are writing to
Madame,	When writing to a woman
Monsieur,	When writing to a man
Cher Monsieur Dupont,	When you know the person slightly
Chère Madame Martin,	When you know the person slightly (female)