Mastering French formules de politesse is no easy task. There are so many to choose from, and some of them can seem never-ending and nearly incomprehensible to non-native speakers.
It is essential not to mix them up, especially if you are writing to a recruiter or a superior. This article will guide you through the minefield of French email sign-offs and show you how to use them effectively.
"Cordialement" works just fine, doesn't it?
You’ve probably noticed that "cordialement" is by far the most common email sign-off in France. However, as we will see below, it is not appropriate for every situation.
"Cordialement" literally translates to "cordially" or "warmly". Even though "cordially" is acceptable at the end of an English email, it is an outdated expression that does not match the way French people use "cordialement". It is actually equivalent to "best/warm/kind regards" - a relatively neutral sign-off, suitable for colleagues, a familiar client, or someone whose position does not require too much formality. You can add a bit of warmth with "bien cordialement".
As I mentioned above, there are plenty of options, so don't hesitate to stand out by choosing "sincerement" or "cordiales salutations", for example. If you know the person, personalize your email by closing with "a bientot" or "au plaisir" (meaning "speak soon"), "bonne journee" or even "en vous souhaitant une excellente fin de semaine", which can even be followed by an exclamation mark, much like "catch you then!" or "have a good one!" in English.
In a more formal context, consider expressions such as "avec ma sincere consideration", "je vous prie d'agreer mes meilleures salutations" or even "je vous prie de croire a mes sentiments cordiaux et respectueux" - the equivalent of "respectfully yours" in English, ideal for addressing a superior or a notable person.
Applying for a job
In English, when sending a job application by email, you can get away with a concise "yours sincerely/faithfully". This is not the case in the language of Moliere...
Here is an example of a polite closing formula when writing to a recruiter: "Me tenant a disposition pour un entretien a la date qui vous conviendra, je vous prie d'agreer, Madame Durant, l'expression de ma consideration distinguee."
These classic (and never-ending!) expressions are essential and will demonstrate your respect for proper procedures. They break down into three parts:
- - En esperant que ma candidature retiendra votre attention, je vous prie d'agreer,...
- Me tenant a disposition pour un entretien a la date qui vous conviendra, je vous prie d'agreer,...
- Desireux(se) de vous demontrer ma motivation, je vous prie de recevoir,...
- - Madame,...
- Monsieur,...
- Madame, Monsieur,...
- Monsieur le Directeur,...
- Madame Durant,...
- - L'expression de mes sinceres salutations.
- L'expression de ma consideration distinguee.
NB: it is imperative to address your recipient in exactly the same way at the beginning and at the end of your email. The paragraph on different email openings will tell you more about the right formulas to use.
Expressing gratitude
"Vous remerciant par avance pour..." is the equivalent of "thanks in advance" and is a good way to prompt action while expressing gratitude.
To simply say thank you, end your email with "avec mes remerciements", "avec tous mes remerciements", or "avec mes sinceres remerciements".
Getting a response
Using the right closing formula at the end of an email is an excellent way to request a response while remaining courteous.
Write "dans l'attente de votre reponse, je vous prie d'agreer mes meilleures salutations". Subtle, but effective. The English equivalent "I look forward to hearing from you" is equally effective but far less subtle - a direct translation of this expression could offend a French recipient.
Friends and family
It goes without saying that expressions like "xoxo", "love" or "take care" in English should never be used in a professional setting; likewise, "bisous", "grosses bises", "amities", "bien a toi" should be reserved for close friends and family.
Just as in English, you can personalize your sign-offs. For example, "musicalement" or "sportivement votre" will help you stand out from the crowd.
And for openers?
At the start of an email, when writing to a colleague or someone you have an ongoing relationship with, "bonjour Martin" is perfectly appropriate. For close friends, you can be more casual with "salut" or "coucou", which translate to "hi".
If you are writing to a superior, it is advisable to use "cher(chere) collegue".
In formal situations such as a job application, if the recruiter is unknown, use "Madame, Monsieur" (Note: Madame always comes before Monsieur). However, if you know their name, title, or gender, use it along with the adjective "cher(chere)" - definitely not "bonjour", which is considered too informal in this context. For example: "Cher Monsieur Dupont/Chere Madame la Directrice/Cher Monsieur".