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Cheat sheet

French email headers: objet, PJ, CC and CCI explained

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Know what belongs in each French email field, label attachments clearly, and practise placing addresses, a subject and a file in the right place.

In short

Objet is the subject; À names the main recipient; Cc sends a visible copy; Cci sends a hidden copy. PJ means pièce jointe: attach the file, then mention it in the message.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

A person preparing an email on a blank laptop beside a plain document and an envelope.
A document accompanies a message as une pièce jointe. Illustration: Atelier

Les champs d’un courriel

1 · À: who needs to act

Put the main recipient’s email address here. A greeting such as Madame, Monsieur, belongs in the body.

À : [email protected]To: [email protected]

2 · Objet: the reason in a few words

Use a specific topic, with a date or reference when useful. The field already says Objet, so the text you enter can start directly with Demande.

Objet : Demande de rendez-vous — dossier 482Subject: Appointment request — file 482

3 · Cc: a visible copy

Cc is commonly expanded as copie carbone or copie conforme. Other recipients can see this address; use it to keep a colleague informed.

Je mets Mme Robert en copie.I am copying Ms Robert in.

4 · Cci: a hidden recipient

Cci means copie carbone invisible or copie conforme invisible. Other recipients cannot see this address in the recipient list. The sender can still see it.

Merci de mettre les destinataires en Cci.Please put the recipients in Bcc.

5 · PJ: the attached file

PJ and P. J. label an attachment. Some software uses Joindre un fichier. Typing a file name in the subject does not attach the file.

PJ : justificatif.pdfAttachment: justificatif.pdf

6 · Mention the attachment in the body

Vous trouverez en pièce jointe… is a useful full phrase. You can also say Je joins…, followed directly by the document.

Vous trouverez en pièce jointe mon justificatif de domicile.Please find my proof of address attached.

7 · Read the action buttons

Répondre replies to the sender; Répondre à tous also includes the visible recipients. Transférer forwards the message. Check the new address list before sending.

Pourriez-vous me confirmer la réception du document ?Could you confirm receipt of the document?

One message, several separate places
PlaceContent
À[email protected]
Cc[email protected]
ObjetDemande de rendez-vous — dossier 482
Pièce jointejustificatif.pdf
Corps du messageBonjour, je souhaiterais prendre rendez-vous.
Question 1No account needed
The housing office must answer your request. Where does its address go?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

À. The main recipient’s address belongs in À; the subject describes the request.

Question 2No account needed
A colleague needs a copy and everyone may see the address. Choose the field.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Cc. Cc keeps the colleague informed and makes the address visible to other recipients.

Question 3No account needed
Which text belongs in the subject field?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Demande de rendez-vous — dossier 619. The request and file reference tell the recipient what the email concerns.

Question 4No account needed
You have typed “PJ : attestation.pdf” but added no file. What remains to do?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Attach attestation.pdf.. An attachment label describes a file; you still need to attach the actual file.

Question 5No account needed
Which field keeps an address out of the list seen by other recipients?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Cci. Cci hides this recipient’s address from the other recipients of the message.

Sources and further reading

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