Spot the mistake: register slips in a formal French email
Salut, tu, bisous, ok in an email to a company? Tap the word that breaks the formal tone in eight sentences, then learn the formal replacements.
- B1
- 8 sentences
- Tap the wrong word
- Learn this in the B1 notebook →
In short
Formal French emails use Madame, Monsieur or Bonjour Madame Martin, vous, full sentences without slang, and closings like Cordialement or Bien à vous. One casual word (salut, ok, bisous, du coup) can break the whole tone.
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Tap the word that's wrong in each sentence.
Hello Mrs Durand, I'm writing about my order.
Salut is for friends.
Could you confirm the delivery date?
Formal emails use vous.
Therefore, I would like to cancel my booking.
Bon at the start is spoken filler; write Ainsi or Par conséquent.
Monday's appointment is perfect for me.
Ok is casual; parfait or cela me convient fits an email.
I'm writing to ask for information about your offer.
Un truc (a thing) is very casual; ask for un renseignement.
Thank you for your very quick reply.
Super + adjective is casual.
I remain at your disposal for any information.
Write the full word: disposition.
Best regards, Julie Martin
Bisous is for friends and family.
What should you avoid in a formal French email?
| Casual | Formal email |
|---|---|
| Salut | Bonjour Madame / Monsieur |
| du coup | par conséquent, ainsi |
| c'est ok ? | cela vous convient-il ? |
| super rapide | très rapide |
| dispo | disponible / à votre disposition |
| Bisous / Bises | Cordialement / Bien à vous |
French formal writing values set phrases: Je me permets de vous contacter…, Je vous remercie par avance…, Je reste à votre disposition…. They may feel stiff, but they signal respect. Between colleagues who use tu, emails can relax, but Cordialement remains the standard sign-off.
- Collègue
Tu as mis « bisous » à la fin de ton mail au client ?
Did you put "bisous" at the end of your email to the client?
- Toi
Oh non ! Habitude du téléphone…
Oh no! Phone habit…
- Collègue
Remplace par « Cordialement », et c'est parfait.
Replace it with "Cordialement", and it's perfect.