Kilo Lingo

Ch 43 · Lesson 21

Writing a formal email

The opening, the request and the sign-off, in the order a Spanish reader expects.

Why these go together

Formal Spanish writing has fixed pieces, like English "Dear Sir or Madam" and "Yours faithfully". Note the colon after the greeting, where English uses a comma, and the forms throughout: , . cordial suits most emails; is the more formal letter-style close.

  • García:

    Dear Mrs García,

    Literally: esteemed Mrs García

  • .

    I am writing to ask for information about the course.

    Literally: I write to you to ask for information about the course

  • .

    I would be grateful if you could send me the programme.

  • .

    I look forward to hearing from you.

    Literally: I remain waiting for your reply

  • cordial .

    Kind regards.

    Literally: a cordial greeting

  • ,

    Yours sincerely,

    Literally: attentively

Matching

0/6

Match each phrase to what it means.

Fill in the blank

0/6

Put the missing word back.

  1. señora García: (Dear Mrs García,)

  2. Le para pedir información sobre el curso. (I am writing to ask for information about the course.)

  3. Le que me enviara el programa. (I would be grateful if you could send me the programme.)

  4. Quedo a la de su respuesta. (I look forward to hearing from you.)

  5. Un saludo. (Kind regards.)

  6. , (Yours sincerely,)

Lesson 21 of 27 in this chapter

Back to the curriculum

What do the colours mean?