This French A2 lesson explains informal emails in French step by step, with examples in French and English. Then practise with the worksheet on informal emails in French and check yourself with the quiz.
Quick answer: An informal French email has a short subject line, a friendly greeting such as Salut or Coucou, a few lines of news and questions, and a warm closing such as Bises or À bientôt. Use tu, the passé composé for finished events and the futur proche for plans.
Level: French A2 (CEFR elementary) · Standards: CEFR A2, Writing
Informal emails in French: the lesson
How is an informal French email built?
A message to a friend, a neighbor or a coworker you get along with follows a simple frame. Each part has a fixed place, so you can write quickly and still sound natural.
Informal email
A message written with tu, a friendly greeting and a warm closing. Sentences stay short, and the tone is close to speech.
How do you open and close a message?
| Part | French | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Salut Inès, · Coucou Malik, | very friendly |
| Opening | Cher Théo, · Chère Amina, | warm, a little more careful |
| Thanks | Merci pour ton message ! | neutral |
| Late reply | Désolé(e) de répondre si tard. | neutral |
| Closing | À bientôt ! · À très vite ! | friendly |
| Closing | Bises · Grosses bises · Amitiés | affectionate, kind |
Bises
Literally “kisses,” bises is an everyday closing among friends and relatives, and often among friendly coworkers. It is not romantic.
How do you tell your news?
Choose the tense by the time
Use the passé composé for finished events, the present for the current situation, and aller + infinitive (the futur proche) for plans.
Examples
- Samedi, nous avons visité le marché de Rabat. — On Saturday we visited the Rabat market.
- J’habite près de la gare. — I live near the station.
- Le mois prochain, je vais commencer un nouveau poste. — Next month I’m starting a new job.
How do you ask questions?
Raise your voice, add est-ce que, or use a question word. Ask about the other person first, then about plans.
- Tu viens samedi ? — Are you coming Saturday?
- Est-ce que tu as reçu mes photos ? — Did you get my photos?
- Comment va ta sœur ? — How is your sister?
- Quand est-ce que tu arrives ? — When are you arriving?
Watch out
English “Dear” does not always become Cher: between friends, Salut is more usual. Days and months have no capital letter (lundi 3 mai). After J’espère que, use a normal indicative: J’espère que tu vas bien.
Zoé’s tip
Answer the other person’s questions first, then add your own news. A reply that skips their questions feels cold, even if your French is perfect.
Key points to remember
- Greet friends with Salut or Coucou followed by a first name.
- Close with Bises, Grosses bises, À bientôt or Amitiés.
- Tell finished events in the passé composé and plans with aller + infinitive.
- Ask questions with rising intonation, est-ce que or a question word.
- Days and months stay lowercase: lundi 3 mai.
Friendly Emails to Friends and Coworkers: frequently asked questions
How do you start an informal email in French?
Write Salut or Coucou plus the first name, or Cher / Chère for a slightly more careful tone. Add a comma and start a new line.
What does bises mean at the end of an email?
It literally means kisses, and it is a normal friendly closing between friends, relatives and close coworkers. It has no romantic meaning.
Should I use tu or vous in a friendly email?
Use tu with friends, family and peers who already use it with you. If you are unsure, begin with vous and switch when the other person does.
How do you apologize for a late reply?
Say Désolé(e) de répondre si tard near the beginning. Then thank the person for the message and answer their questions.
Which tense do I use to tell my news?
Use the passé composé for finished events, the present for your current situation and the futur proche for plans.