Email greetings — Professional for business

Cher Monsieur

Dear Sir

Use 'Cher' for men. The adjective matches the gender of the recipient.

In France, using titles like 'Monsieur' shows respect and formality, especially in business.

Chère Madame

Dear Madam

Use 'Chère' for women. Always adjust adjectives to match the feminine form.

As in English, addressing with 'Madame' is a sign of professionalism and politeness.

Chers collègues

Dear colleagues

'Chers' is plural and masculine, but commonly used for mixed or unknown gender groups.

French workplaces value collegiality, so a polite yet warm address is appreciated.

Bonjour

Hello

A versatile greeting, informal yet often appropriate at the start of emails.

'Bonjour' is widely used and acceptable in professional settings, adjusting formality based on context.

Cordialement

Sincerely

A safe choice for ending emails, balancing formality and friendliness.

It's the go-to closing remark in French business emails, similar to English 'Best regards'.

Bien cordialement

Kind regards

A warmer variation of 'Cordialement', adding a personal touch.

It softens professional interactions while maintaining respect.

À qui de droit

To whom it may concern

Used when the recipient is unknown or not specifically addressed.

Formal and clear, suitable for legal or official documents.

Je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur/Madame, l'expression de mes sentiments respectueux.

Yours faithfully

Highly formal, ensuring utmost respect and politeness.

Typically used in highly formal letters, reflecting traditional French letter-writing conventions.

Je reste à votre disposition pour toute question.

I am available for any questions.

Direct yet polite, offering further assistance.

Reflects a cultural emphasis on service and willingness to help.