Knowing how to write an email in French is an essential skill for professional and social interactions, whether you’re communicating with French-speaking colleagues, clients, or friends. French emails follow certain formalities and structures that might be different from English or your native language. From the greeting to the closing, each part of an email plays a role in setting the right tone and making a good impression to your reader.

In this guide, we’ll break down the key elements of writing an email in French, including common expressions, formatting tips, and best practices for professional communication.

1. How to Start an Email in French: Common Greetings

First of all, to write an email in French the opening must set the tone. In French, the level of formality depends on your relationship with the recipient. Here are some commonly used expressions for different contexts:

Formal Greetings (For Business & Professional Emails)

If you’re writing to a colleague, client, or someone you don’t know well, use these polite and professional greetings:

• Madame, Monsieur, (Dear Sir/Madam)
• Monsieur Dupont, (Dear Mr. Dupont)
• Madame Dupont, (Dear Ms./Mrs. Dupont)
• Cher Monsieur Dupont, / Chère Madame Dupont, (Dear Mr./Ms. Dupont – slightly less formal but still professional)
• Bonjour Monsieur Dupont, (Good morning/Hello Mr. Dupont)
• Bonsoir Madame Dupont, (Good evening Ms. Dupont)

If you are replying to an email and the sender has already introduced themselves, you can match their level of formality.

For very formal emails, it is best to avoid “Bonjour” alone, as it can sound too casual.

Casual Greetings (For Friends or Informal Work Relationships)

If you are writing to a friend, coworker, or someone you have an established informal relationship with, you can use the following:

• Bonjour [Prénom], (Hello [First Name]) – polite but less formal
• Salut [Prénom], (Hi [First Name] – casual
• Coucou [Prénom], (Hey [First Name]) – very casual

2. Writing the Body of an Email in French

In addition to this, the body of your email should be clear, structured, and aligned with the level of formality.

• To introduce your purpose, the following expressions are commonly used in French:
  • Je vous écris afin de… (I am writing to you in order to…)
  • Je me permets de vous contacter au sujet de… (I am reaching out regarding…)
  • Suite à notre conversation… (Following up on our conversation…)
  • J’aimerais vous poser quelques questions concernant… (I would like to ask you a few questions about…)
    
• To make a request or ask for information, you can include the following questions:
  • Pourriez-vous me faire parvenir…? (Could you send me…)
  • Serait-il possible de…? (Would it be possible to…)
  • J’aimerais en savoir plus sur… (I would like to know more about…)
    
• To confirm or provide information, it is common to use the following phrases:
  • Je vous confirme que… (I confirm that…)
  • Ci-joint, vous trouverez… (Attached, you will find…)
  • Nous restons à votre disposition pour toute information complémentaire. (We remain available for any additional information.)
    
• To express appreciation or gratitude, you can end your email with:
  • Merci d’avance pour votre retour. (Thank you in advance for your response.)
  • Je vous remercie pour votre aide. (I appreciate your help.)

3. How to Close an Email in French: Common Sign-offs

Finally, closing an email in French also follows certain conventions, depending on the formality of the message.

Formal Closings (For Business Emails)

A professional email should always end with a polite closing phrase. Some common options include:

• Dans l’attente de votre retour, je vous prie d’agréer mes salutations distinguées. (A very formal closing, often used in official letters.)
• Cordialement, (Best regards)
• Bien cordialement, (Kind regards)
• Sincères salutations, (Sincere regards)

Informal Closings (For Friends or Close Colleagues)

For a more relaxed tone, it is also possible to use:

• À bientôt, (See you soon)
• Bonne journée, (Have a great day)
• Amicalement, (Best wishes – friendly but polite)

4. Tips for Writing Emails to Colleagues in French

Writing emails to colleagues in French can be tricky at times, as the level of formality may also depend on the company culture, seniority as well as regional differences within the French-speaking world.

A casual “Salut” may work in some offices, while a formal “Bonjour Monsieur/Madame” could be expected in others. Understanding workplace etiquette across French-speaking countries ensures your emails strike the right tone.

Here are some tips to help you craft effective emails for workplace communication:

• Keep it polite and concise. French work culture values clarity, so avoid overly long emails.
• Using “tu” is mostly acceptable nowadays but some professional settings might use “vous” for respect. When in doubt, it is better to be formal than informal to not offend the other person.
• Structure your email well. Start with a polite greeting, state your purpose clearly, provide necessary details, and end with a courteous closing.
• Be mindful of tone. French emails tend to be more formal than English ones, so even internal emails might include a greeting and closing that feel more structured than in English.

Conclusion

Writing an email in French is all about understanding the right level of formality, cultural context and using the correct expressions. Whether you’re sending a business inquiry, responding to a colleague, or writing to a friend, following these guidelines will help you communicate clearly and effectively.

By practicing these structures and phrases, you’ll feel more confident in your written communication and ensure your emails sound polished and professional. Ready to put this into practice? Start drafting your next email in French today!