Meaning
To compose and send an electronic message.
Cultural Background
The 'Right to Disconnect' law means you shouldn't expect an answer to an email sent after 6 PM or on weekends. Using 'courriel' is highly encouraged and is a sign of respect for the local linguistic culture. In professional Senegalese culture, emails often begin with very polite and warm greetings before getting to the point. The use of 'Cordialement' is the standard way to end almost any neutral or formal email.
Use 'à'
Always remember the preposition 'à' for the person receiving the email.
Avoid 'Emailer'
Do not try to turn 'email' into a verb like in English. 'J'emaile' is not correct French.
Meaning
To compose and send an electronic message.
Use 'à'
Always remember the preposition 'à' for the person receiving the email.
Avoid 'Emailer'
Do not try to turn 'email' into a verb like in English. 'J'emaile' is not correct French.
The 'v' rule
Remember the 'v' in 'nous écrivons' and 'vous écrivez'. It's a common test question!
Courriel in Quebec
If you are in Montreal, use 'courriel' to sound like a local.
Test Yourself
Conjugate the verb 'écrire' in the present tense.
Je/J' ________ un e-mail à ma sœur.
The first person singular form of 'écrire' is 'écris'.
Choose the correct preposition for the recipient.
Il écrit un e-mail ____ son patron.
In French, we write 'à' (to) someone.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Qu'est-ce que tu fais ? B: ________.
Based on the context of digital communication, 'J'écris un e-mail' is the best fit.
Match the phrase to the most formal context.
Which phrase is best for a job application?
'Rédiger un courriel' is the most formal and professional option.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJe/J' ________ un e-mail à ma sœur.
The first person singular form of 'écrire' is 'écris'.
Il écrit un e-mail ____ son patron.
In French, we write 'à' (to) someone.
A: Qu'est-ce que tu fais ? B: ________.
Based on the context of digital communication, 'J'écris un e-mail' is the best fit.
Which phrase is best for a job application?
'Rédiger un courriel' is the most formal and professional option.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsIt is masculine: un e-mail.
Yes, 'un mail' is very common in France, though 'e-mail' is also used.
It is the official French word for email, used mostly in formal contexts or in Quebec.
The '@' symbol is called 'arobase'.
It is neutral. It works for both friends and bosses.
No, 'mél' is only used in writing on business cards, never spoken.
J'écris un e-mail.
In French, it is usually written with the hyphen (e-mail) or as one word (email). Both are accepted.
It is an email attachment.
The subject line is called 'l'objet'.
Yes, it is a 3rd group irregular verb.
Only if you are writing it *for* them because they can't. If you are writing *to* them, use 'à toi'.
J'ai écrit un e-mail.
Related Phrases
Envoyer un e-mail
similarTo send an email
Répondre à un e-mail
builds onTo reply to an email
Transférer un e-mail
specialized formTo forward an email
Supprimer un e-mail
contrastTo delete an email
