How many emails do you write every day?
You don’t even think about it when it’s in English.
But when you have to write emails IN FRENCH…
It takes you a lot time AND concentration AND Google translation.
Way more worry and hesitation than it should.
You know that.
And you often block on a number of expressions you ONLY use in emails.
Again and again. See what I mean?
To « forward » something, « Please find attached » and all their evil friends…
How French people say this in French? How will YOU?
This is what we’ll see in today’s episode of Comme une Française TV.
Click to watch « 3 French expressions for emails »:
Et toi?
Your French will improve ONLY if you take action on what you learn on Comme une Française TV.
Share your experience by leaving a comment below this video :
Did you use these expressions?
Which « email words » have you been struggling with recently?
The comment section is the best area to start discussions and ask questions!
See you there!
Next week, I’ll share a Christmas surprise.
Géraldine
I would like to improve in French but I like to practice the formal way and not colloquial! That will help me a lot.! Mercians
I like to join so i can learn some French speaking in a forma way
This was very helpful I needed it for a project! 😀
Very helpful. I was desperate!
🙂
How do I find your e-mail course svp?. I’m often trying to send e-mails to friends or business contacts and it takes ages and then I’m not sure if I’ve also maid lots of faux pas! Your course would be helpful. Thanks for the video above, that’s already been a help.
I work with French people, and I’d say its overwhelmingly used as the way to write names. I have taken to writing my own last name in all caps, usually only on forms or where it says “put your name here” type situations.
I’ve received emails from someone who writes Cher M. SMITH and at the end, cordialement, M. CRAMPE.
Is it normal to write the title and then surname in capital letters in that way?
Bonjour Eileen,
Some people do that, yes. I wouldn’t say it’s very common but it happens.
Merci, Géraldine ! This was exactly what I needed to know today — en pièce jointe. 🙂
Great, Courtney! Glad it helped!
Bonjour Géraldine: Do you no longer say “faire suivre” for forward? J’apprécie énormément vos conseils.
Cynthia (citadine, NYC)
Bonjour Cynthia,
Yes, “faire suivre” is used.
Thanks for sharing this suggestion.
In Québec, it seems we use “transférer” instead of “forwarder”, “courriel” instead of “mail” (or mél = message électronique) and I have never yet come across “en” used before “piéce jointe” in the 4 years I have been working only in French. I am constantly fascinated at how the English language is incorporated in French in France differently from how it is incorporated in French in Québec!
Yes absolutely Bobby! The different uses of French between Quebec and France is fascinating, I agree.
Very useful! I have used the verb “transmettre” for “to forward” (is that an okay verb to use in this context?), I didn’t know about “forwarder”.
It makes it so much easier! 😉 Thank you for sharing these handy expressions!
Bonjour Suli,
Yes, transmettre is ok. It is very elegant. 🙂
Is there any difference in formality between ‘en pièce jointe’ or ‘ci-joint’? The second sounds more formal to me I think, but I am not sure. Also, does it ‘agree’ with the subject?
Hi Emma,
Thanks for your question.
Let’s say “en pièce jointe” is a little bit more familiar than “ci-joint”.
But it is quite subtle.
What do you mean by “agree with the subject”?
I meant does it say en pièces joint(e)s if the subject is masculine or feminine plural. For instance, ‘les documents en pièces joints’?
Thanks for your help!
Hi Emma,
Great question.
“Jointe” agrees with “pièce”. So it will always be feminine.
But it can be singular or plural.
If you have several documents: “les documents en pièces jointes” / “les images en pièces jointes”
If you have just one: “le document en pièce jointe” / “l’image en pièce jointe”
Thank you so much for your much appreciated guidance Géraldine. Only someone who has come to terms with speaking a foreign language can truly appreciate the problems and pitfalls!! You are doing a splendid job at improving my working french.
Amicalement jeff
44290
Bonjour Jeff,
It’s wonderful this helps you so much!