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par email

A2 noun 9 min read

par email

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips par email in 30 Seconds

Explanation par email in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn that 'par email' is a simple way to say how you send something. You use it with basic verbs like 'envoyer' (to send) or 'recevoir' (to receive). You don't need to worry about complex grammar; just treat it as a fixed phrase that goes at the end of your sentence. For example, 'J'envoie une photo par email.' It helps you talk about modern life and basic technology. You will see it on websites when they ask for your contact information. Remember that 'par' means 'by' or 'through' in this context. It is one of the first 'method' phrases you will learn, alongside 'par téléphone' or 'par bus'. Even at this early stage, try to pronounce 'email' with a French accent, focusing on the 'e' sound. It is a very useful phrase for introducing yourself to a penpal or a teacher.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'par email' in more varied contexts, such as describing your daily routine or professional tasks. You can use it with a wider range of verbs like 'répondre' (to answer), 'confirmer' (to confirm), or 'prévenir' (to warn/inform). You also learn the difference between 'par email' and 'par courrier' (physical mail). You might start to use it in questions: 'Est-ce que je peux envoyer le document par email ?' At this level, you should also be aware of the synonym 'courriel', especially if you are looking at official French or Canadian websites. You are becoming more comfortable with the lack of an article after 'par', recognizing it as a standard pattern for means of communication. You can now use the phrase to organize meetings or exchange information with friends.

By B1, you are expected to use 'par email' fluently in both professional and social situations. You understand the nuances of register—knowing that 'par mail' is slightly more informal than 'par email', and 'par courriel' is the most formal. You can use the phrase in complex sentences with multiple clauses, such as 'Bien que je lui aie envoyé le contrat par email, il ne m'a pas encore répondu.' You also start to use it with passive structures: 'Le dossier a été transmis par email hier.' At this level, you are aware of the cultural debate in France regarding anglicisms and might choose your words based on who you are talking to. You are also proficient at using 'par email' in the context of customer service complaints or formal inquiries where a written record is necessary.

At the B2 level, 'par email' is a standard part of your vocabulary. You use it effortlessly in professional arguments or detailed explanations. You might discuss the pros and cons of communicating 'par email' versus 'en personne' or 'par visioconférence'. You understand that 'par email' implies a certain level of asynchronous communication and can use it to manage expectations in a work environment. You are also familiar with related expressions like 'en pièce jointe par email' (as an attachment by email). Your pronunciation is natural, and you can switch between 'mail', 'email', and 'courriel' depending on the specific audience and the level of formality required. You can also handle more technical discussions about security and encryption 'par email'.

At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated grasp of when to use 'par email' and when to opt for more formal alternatives like 'par voie de messagerie électronique'. You can analyze the stylistic impact of using an anglicism in a French text. You use the phrase in high-level professional writing, such as reports or academic papers, where you might describe methodology: 'Les participants ont été recrutés par email.' You are also sensitive to the legal implications of sending certain documents 'par email' versus 'par lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception' (registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt). Your use of the phrase is perfectly integrated into complex, nuanced discourse about technology, society, and communication.

At the C2 level, you use 'par email' with the ease of a native speaker, including in idiomatic or highly specialized contexts. You might use it in literary analysis or deep cultural critiques about the evolution of French in the digital age. You are fully aware of the history of the term, its competition with 'courriel', and the linguistic policies surrounding it. You can play with the phrase in creative writing or use it in high-stakes negotiations where every word counts. You understand the subtle social signals sent by choosing 'par mail' over 'par email' in a corporate hierarchy. Your mastery is such that you can use the phrase naturally while simultaneously maintaining the highest standards of French grammar and style.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

par email in 30 Seconds

Used to indicate the method of sending something via electronic mail.
Common in both professional and social contexts across the Francophone world.
Usually placed after the verb or the direct object in a sentence.
Omit the definite article 'le' when using the preposition 'par'.

The phrase par email is a fundamental expression in modern French, used to describe the method of communication via electronic mail. While the French language has official bodies like the Académie Française that promote the use of 'courriel' (a portmanteau of 'courrier' and 'électronique'), the term 'email' remains ubiquitous in daily life, business environments, and informal settings across France. It functions as an adverbial phrase, answering the question 'how' a message or document was transmitted.

Context of Use: In professional settings, you will often hear colleagues say, 'Je t'envoie ça par email' (I'll send that to you by email). It denotes a level of formality slightly higher than a text message but lower than a physical letter. It is the standard for administrative tasks, job applications, and formal inquiries.

Veuillez nous envoyer votre CV par email avant vendredi soir.

Usage varies slightly by region. In Quebec, the term 'courriel' is strictly preferred and mandated in official government communications, whereas in France, 'email' and its shortened form 'mail' (pronounced like 'mel') are standard. Interestingly, when using 'mail', French speakers often treat it as a masculine noun ('le mail'), and the preposition 'par' remains the bridge to indicate the medium.

Social Nuance: Using 'par email' suggests a desire for a written record. If someone asks you to confirm something 'par email', they are likely looking for documentation that can be referenced later, distinguishing it from a verbal agreement made 'par téléphone'.

On peut confirmer le rendez-vous par email ?

In terms of grammar, 'par' is the preposition of means. It is the same 'par' used in 'par avion' (by plane) or 'par hasard' (by chance). It connects the action (sending, receiving, communicating) to the tool (email). Unlike English, which sometimes uses 'via email', French almost exclusively uses 'par' or 'via', though 'par' is much more common for general purposes.

Common Variations: You may encounter 'par mail', 'par courriel', or even 'par messagerie électronique'. All convey the same core meaning, but 'par email' strikes a balance between modern efficiency and standard clarity.

Je vous ai contacté par email la semaine dernière.

La réponse vous sera transmise par email.

Est-ce possible d'annuler par email ?

Using par email correctly requires understanding its placement within a sentence. Usually, it follows the verb and the direct object, acting as a modifier that specifies the mode of delivery. It is a versatile phrase that can appear at the end of a sentence for emphasis or immediately after the verb for a more direct flow.

Sentence Structure: The typical pattern is [Subject] + [Verb] + [Object] + [par email]. For example, 'Il envoie le rapport par email.' If there is no object, it follows the verb: 'Nous communiquons par email.'

Je vous enverrai les détails par email demain matin.

When asking questions, 'par email' often moves to the end to clarify the method. 'Voulez-vous recevoir la facture par email ?' (Do you want to receive the invoice by email?). It can also be used in the passive voice, which is common in administrative French: 'Le code a été envoyé par email' (The code was sent by email).

Negation: In negative sentences, 'par email' remains at the end. 'Je ne peux pas répondre par email' (I cannot respond by email). The negation wraps around the auxiliary verb, but the prepositional phrase stays intact.

N'envoyez pas de documents confidentiels par email.

Another important aspect is the lack of an article. You do not say 'par l'email' or 'par un email' when speaking about the method in general. However, if you are referring to a *specific* email message, you would say 'dans l'email que j'ai envoyé' (in the email I sent). 'Par email' is strictly for the medium of communication.

With Modal Verbs: When used with verbs like 'pouvoir' (can) or 'devoir' (must), the phrase clarifies the obligation or possibility. 'Vous devez confirmer par email' (You must confirm by email).

Peut-on s'inscrire par email ?

Il a été prévenu par email de son retard.

Nous vous tiendrons au courant par email.

If you walk into a French 'mairie' (town hall), a 'banque', or any corporate office in La Défense, you will hear par email constantly. It is the language of the modern workforce. Despite the rise of instant messaging apps like Slack or WhatsApp, 'par email' remains the gold standard for official communication and file sharing.

Professional Environment: In an office, a manager might say, 'Fais-moi un retour par email' (Give me feedback by email). This is a request for a formal summary rather than a quick verbal chat. It implies that the information needs to be archived or shared with others.

Contactez le support technique par email pour une assistance rapide.

In customer service, you will frequently hear this phrase when agents are closing a call. 'Je vous envoie le récapitulatif par email' is a standard closing line. It provides the customer with a sense of security that they have a physical (though digital) proof of the conversation.

Media and Advertising: On French websites or television commercials, call-to-action buttons or phrases often use 'par email'. 'Recevez nos offres par email' (Receive our offers by email) is a common way to invite newsletter signups.

Inscrivez-vous pour recevoir votre coupon par email.

You will also hear this in educational settings. Professors often tell students, 'Envoyez vos devoirs par email'. This signifies a transition from the traditional 'copie papier' (paper copy) to digital submissions. In this context, 'par email' is almost synonymous with 'officially submitted'.

Public Services: The French government has digitized many services. When applying for a 'carte vitale' or a visa, instructions often state that certain documents must be sent 'par email' to specific 'préfectures'.

Toutes les convocations sont envoyées par email uniquement.

Répondez par email pour confirmer votre présence.

Le lien de réinitialisation arrive par email.

For English speakers, the phrase par email seems straightforward, but there are several linguistic traps to avoid. The most common errors involve the choice of preposition and the use of articles.

Mistake #1: Using 'En' or 'Dans': Learners often try to say 'en email' or 'dans email'. While 'dans l'email' is correct when referring to content *inside* a specific message, it is incorrect for the method of sending. You must use 'par'.

Incorrect: Je t'envoie ça en email.
Correct: Je t'envoie ça par email.

Another frequent error is the inclusion of the definite article 'le'. In English, we say 'by email'. In French, it is also 'par email'—no 'le'. Adding 'le' makes the phrase sound like you are referring to a very specific, singular email that both parties already know about, rather than the general concept of electronic mail.

Mistake #2: Pronunciation of 'Email': English speakers often use the English pronunciation /iːmeɪl/. In French, the 'e' is often pronounced more like an 'é' or 'è' /e/ or /ɛ/, and the 'l' is more dental. However, the biggest mistake is not recognizing the shortened form 'mail' (pronounced like the English word 'mail' but often with a French 'l').

Astuce: If you want to sound more native in France, use par mail (masculine), but avoid it in Quebec where 'courriel' is king.

Mistake #3: Capitalization: There is no need to capitalize 'email' in French unless it starts a sentence. Some learners treat it as a proper noun because of its technical nature, but it should remain lowercase.

Il m'a répondu par email hier soir.

Nous ne traitons pas les demandes par email.

Vous recevrez un code par email.

While par email is the most common way to express this idea in France, there are several alternatives that vary depending on formality, region, and technical specificity.

Par Courriel: This is the official term. If you are writing a formal letter to a government agency or working in Quebec, use this. It sounds more 'pure' to French linguistic purists.
Par Mail: Extremely common in France. It is the informal/shortened version of 'email'. It is used in about 80% of spoken office conversations.
Par Voie Électronique: This is the most formal version. It is often found in legal contracts or terms of service. It translates to 'by electronic means'.

Veuillez envoyer votre dossier par courriel à la direction.

In contrast to digital methods, you might use 'par courrier' (by regular mail/post). Notice the subtle difference in spelling and pronunciation. 'Courrier' refers to physical letters delivered by the postman. Mixing these up can lead to significant delays if you expect a digital file but get a physical letter a week later!

Via: The Latin 'via' is also used in French, especially in technical contexts: 'via email'. However, 'par' remains the most natural-sounding preposition for daily speech.

Toutes les communications se font par voie électronique.

Je vous contacte par mail pour plus de simplicité.

L'envoi par email est gratuit.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The French government officially replaced 'email' with 'courriel' in 2003, but 'email' remains far more popular in France.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /pɑː ˈiːmeɪl/

US /pɑːr ˈiːmeɪl/

Stress falls on the final syllable of 'email'.

Rhymes With

détail travail portail ail émail chandail gouvernail épouvantail

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'email' exactly like English 'mail' (it should have the 'e' sound).
Over-emphasizing the 'r' in 'par'.
Mixing up 'email' and 'mail' in a way that sounds like 'mélange'.
Not linking 'par' and 'email' smoothly.
Pronouncing the 'ai' in 'email' like 'ay' instead of 'eh'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize for English speakers.

Writing 2/5

Requires remembering the correct preposition 'par' and no article.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation of 'email' with a French flair takes a bit of practice.

Listening 1/5

Clear and distinct in most conversations.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

envoyer recevoir message ordinateur par

Learn Next

en pièce jointe télécharger lien adresse électronique mot de passe

Advanced

cryptage serveur protocole dématérialisation archivage

Grammar to Know

Prepositions of means

On utilise 'par' pour le moyen de transport ou de communication : par train, par email.

Omission of the article

Après 'par' dans une locution de moyen, on n'utilise pas d'article : par email (pas 'par l'email').

Placement of adverbial phrases

L'expression se place généralement après le complément d'objet direct : J'envoie le fichier par email.

Passive voice with 'par'

Dans le passif, 'par' introduit l'agent ou le moyen : Le message a été envoyé par email.

Subjunctive after 'vouloir que'

Je veux que tu m'envoies ça par email (subjunctive 'envoies').

Examples by Level

Je t'envoie la photo par email.

I am sending you the photo by email.

Direct object 'la photo' comes before the prepositional phrase.

Il reçoit un message par email.

He is receiving a message by email.

Present tense of the verb 'recevoir'.

Tu as mon adresse par email ?

Do you have my address by email?

Simple question using intonation.

Elle écrit une lettre par email.

She is writing a letter by email.

Using 'lettre' metaphorically for a long email.

Nous communiquons par email.

We communicate by email.

Verb 'communiquer' in the present tense.

Réponds-moi par email, s'il te plaît.

Answer me by email, please.

Imperative mood with a stressed pronoun 'moi'.

C'est gratuit par email.

It is free by email.

Predicate adjective 'gratuit' followed by the means.

Je n'ai pas de réponse par email.

I don't have a response by email.

Negation with 'ne...pas' and the partitive 'de'.

Voulez-vous recevoir votre facture par email ?

Would you like to receive your invoice by email?

Inversion question with the modal verb 'vouloir'.

Je vous ai envoyé le contrat par email.

I sent you the contract by email.

Passé composé with the indirect object pronoun 'vous'.

On peut confirmer le rendez-vous par email.

We can confirm the meeting by email.

Use of 'on' as 'we' and the infinitive 'confirmer'.

Elle m'a prévenu par email de son absence.

She informed me by email of her absence.

Verb 'prévenir' + [person] + par email + de [thing].

Contactez-nous par email pour plus d'infos.

Imperative 'contactez-nous' with a hyphen.

Il a envoyé son CV par email hier.

He sent his CV by email yesterday.

Adverb of time 'hier' at the end of the phrase.

Le lien a été envoyé par email.

The link was sent by email.

Passive voice construction.

Je préfère discuter par email.

I prefer to discuss by email.

Verb 'préférer' followed by an infinitive.

Si vous avez des questions, posez-les par email.

If you have questions, ask them by email.

Conditional 'si' clause followed by an imperative with an object pronoun.

L'inscription se fait uniquement par email.

Registration is done only by email.

Pronominal verb 'se faire' used to mean 'is done'.

Il m'a envoyé les documents en pièce jointe par email.

He sent me the documents as an attachment by email.

Adding 'en pièce jointe' to specify the format.

Je vous tiendrai au courant par email dès que possible.

I will keep you informed by email as soon as possible.

Future tense of 'tenir' in the expression 'tenir au courant'.

Le service client répondra à votre demande par email.

Customer service will respond to your request by email.

Future tense of 'répondre' with the preposition 'à'.

Nous avons déjà communiqué par email la semaine dernière.

We already communicated by email last week.

Passé composé with the adverb 'déjà'.

Il est plus simple de réserver par email.

It is easier to book by email.

Impersonal 'il est' + adjective + 'de' + infinitive.

Vérifiez vos spams si vous ne recevez rien par email.

Check your spam if you don't receive anything by email.

Negative 'ne...rien' around the verb.

Veuillez confirmer votre participation par email avant la fin de la journée.

Please confirm your participation by email before the end of the day.

Formal 'veuillez' + infinitive.

Les modalités de paiement vous seront transmises par email.

The payment terms will be sent to you by email.

Passive voice in the future tense.

Bien que nous ayons discuté au téléphone, je préférerais un récapitulatif par email.

Although we discussed on the phone, I would prefer a summary by email.

Subjunctive mood after 'bien que'.

L'envoi de documents confidentiels par email est déconseillé.

Sending confidential documents by email is discouraged.

Noun phrase 'l'envoi de...' as the subject.

Il est impératif de nous prévenir par email en cas de désistement.

It is imperative to notify us by email in case of withdrawal.

Impersonal 'il est impératif de'.

Toute modification doit être validée par email par le responsable.

Any modification must be validated by email by the manager.

Double 'par'—one for the means, one for the agent.

Nous restons à votre disposition par email pour toute information complémentaire.

We remain at your disposal by email for any additional information.

Standard formal closing phrase.

La convocation vous parviendra par email sous quarante-huit heures.

The summons will reach you by email within forty-eight hours.

Verb 'parvenir' used in a formal context.

La dématérialisation impose que les échanges se fassent désormais par email.

Digitalization requires that exchanges now take place by email.

Subjunctive 'se fassent' after a verb of necessity.

L'authenticité des propos tenus par email peut être remise en question.

The authenticity of remarks made by email can be questioned.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

Il convient d'accuser réception de ce message par email dès que possible.

It is appropriate to acknowledge receipt of this message by email as soon as possible.

Formal impersonal structure 'il convient de'.

La communication par email a radicalement transformé les rapports hiérarchiques.

Communication by email has radically transformed hierarchical relationships.

Using 'par email' as part of a subject noun phrase.

Faute de réponse par email, nous serons contraints d'annuler votre dossier.

For lack of a response by email, we will be forced to cancel your file.

Prepositional phrase 'faute de' indicating cause.

Les preuves ont été fournies par email lors de l'instruction.

The evidence was provided by email during the investigation.

Legal context for the use of the phrase.

L'usage excessif des communications par email peut nuire à la productivité.

Excessive use of email communication can harm productivity.

Abstract noun 'usage' modified by 'par email'.

Veuillez nous faire part de vos observations par email exclusivement.

Please share your observations with us exclusively by email.

Expression 'faire part de' followed by the means.

L'immédiateté induite par l'échange par email occulte parfois la profondeur du dialogue.

The immediacy induced by email exchange sometimes obscures the depth of dialogue.

Highly complex sentence with nested modifiers.

Nonobstant nos échanges par email, une rencontre physique s'avère indispensable.

Notwithstanding our exchanges by email, a physical meeting proves essential.

Use of the formal 'nonobstant'.

La traçabilité offerte par l'envoi par email constitue un atout juridique majeur.

The traceability offered by sending by email constitutes a major legal asset.

Technical legal/business French.

On ne saurait sous-estimer l'impact de la correspondance par email sur l'orthographe.

One cannot underestimate the impact of email correspondence on spelling.

Formal 'on ne saurait' + infinitive.

Le droit à la déconnexion remet en cause la sollicitation permanente par email.

The right to disconnect challenges the permanent solicitation by email.

Contemporary social/legal issue in France.

Une notification par email vous sera adressée dès validation de l'acte.

An email notification will be sent to you as soon as the act is validated.

High-level administrative jargon.

L'ambiguïté de certains propos relayés par email peut engendrer des quiproquos.

The ambiguity of certain remarks relayed by email can lead to misunderstandings.

Use of 'quiproquos' (misunderstandings).

Il est de bon ton de remercier son interlocuteur par email après un entretien.

It is good etiquette to thank your interlocutor by email after an interview.

Idiomatic 'il est de bon ton de'.

Common Collocations

envoyer par email

recevoir par email

répondre par email

confirmer par email

contacter par email

transmettre par email

prévenir par email

demander par email

joignable par email

uniquement par email

Common Phrases

Je t'envoie ça par email.

— I am sending that to you by email.

Ne t'inquiète pas, je t'envoie ça par email tout de suite.

On se tient au courant par email.

— We'll keep each other updated by email.

D'accord, on se tient au courant par email pour la suite.

Faites-moi un retour par email.

— Give me feedback/a reply by email.

Après la réunion, faites-moi un retour par email.

C'est plus simple par email.

— It is simpler by email.

Pour les documents, c'est plus simple par email.

Je n'ai rien reçu par email.

— I haven't received anything by email.

C'est bizarre, je n'ai rien reçu par email.

Veuillez répondre par email.

— Please respond by email.

Pour confirmer votre place, veuillez répondre par email.

Contactez le support par email.

— Contact support by email.

Si le site ne marche pas, contactez le support par email.

Tout se fait par email.

— Everything is done by email.

Dans cette entreprise, tout se fait par email.

Vérifiez vos emails.

— Check your emails.

Je viens de l'envoyer, vérifiez vos emails.

Envoi par email.

— Sending by email.

L'envoi par email est immédiat.

Often Confused With

par email vs par courrier

This means physical mail (postal service). Do not confuse with 'par email'!

par email vs par maille

Sounds similar but refers to a stitch in knitting or a mesh.

par email vs sur email

Incorrect preposition. English speakers often try to translate 'on email' literally.

Idioms & Expressions

"Bombarder quelqu'un d'emails"

— To overwhelm someone with emails.

Mon patron me bombarde d'emails ce matin.

Informal

"Noyé sous les emails"

— Drowning in emails.

Je suis complètement noyé sous les emails depuis mon retour.

Informal

"Faire un email groupé"

— To send a group email.

Je vais faire un email groupé pour inviter tout le monde.

Neutral

"Rester sans réponse par email"

— To remain unanswered by email.

Ma demande est restée sans réponse par email.

Formal

"Mettre quelqu'un en copie par email"

— To CC someone in an email.

N'oublie pas de me mettre en copie par email.

Neutral

"Un email de relance"

— A follow-up email.

J'ai envoyé un email de relance au client.

Professional

"Passer par email"

— To use email as the channel.

On va passer par email pour cette transaction.

Neutral

"Vider sa boîte mail"

— To empty one's inbox.

Je dois vider ma boîte mail avant de partir en vacances.

Informal

"Un email assassin"

— A very harsh or critical email.

Il a reçu un email assassin de la part du directeur.

Informal

"Fil d'emails"

— Email thread.

Tout est expliqué dans le fil d'emails.

Neutral

Easily Confused

par email vs courrier

Sounds like 'courriel'.

Courrier is physical; courriel is digital.

J'ai reçu un courrier de la banque (physical letter).

par email vs mail

English word.

In French, 'mail' specifically means email, not physical mail.

Tu as lu mon mail ?

par email vs mél

Official abbreviation.

Used in writing (like 'Tel.'), but never spoken.

Mél : [email protected]

par email vs poste

Method of sending.

La Poste is the postal service for physical letters.

Je l'ai envoyé par la poste.

par email vs message

General term.

A message can be SMS, WhatsApp, or email.

Je t'ai laissé un message.

Sentence Patterns

Je t'envoie [nom] par email.

Je t'envoie l'invitation par email.

Est-ce que je peux [verbe] par email ?

Est-ce que je peux payer par email ?

Il est possible de [verbe] par email.

Il est possible de s'inscrire par email.

Veuillez me [verbe] [nom] par email.

Veuillez me confirmer la date par email.

Faute de [nom] par email, [conséquence].

Faute de confirmation par email, la place sera libérée.

L'échange par email permet de [verbe].

L'échange par email permet de garder une trace écrite.

C'est par email.

Le message ? C'est par email.

On se parle par email.

Demain, on se parle par email.

Word Family

Nouns

mail

courriel

messagerie

boîte aux lettres

Verbs

emailer

mailler

envoyer

recevoir

transmettre

Adjectives

électronique

numérique

digital

internet

web

ordinateur

smartphone

connexion

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in all modern French-speaking environments.

Common Mistakes

Je t'envoie le fichier en email. → Je t'envoie le fichier par email.
In French, the preposition of means for communication is 'par', not 'en'.
Il a répondu par l'email. → Il a répondu par email.
When 'par' is used to indicate a method, the definite article is typically omitted.
Contactez-moi sur email. → Contactez-moi par email.
While 'on email' is used in English, 'par email' is the correct French structure.
J'ai envoyé un courriel électronique. → J'ai envoyé un courriel (or un email).
'Courriel' already means 'electronic mail', so adding 'électronique' is redundant.
Pronouncing 'email' exactly like English 'mail'. → Pronounce the 'e' clearly.
French speakers expect to hear the 'e' sound at the start of 'email'.

Tips

Drop the Article

Remember: 'par email', not 'par l'email'. This is a common mistake for beginners. The preposition 'par' directly precedes the noun when describing the method.

Courriel vs Email

If you are in Quebec, use 'courriel'. If you are in France, 'email' or 'mail' is fine. Knowing your audience helps you sound more native.

Email Etiquette

In French business culture, if someone asks for a confirmation 'par email', they expect a formal response with a proper salutation and closing.

The French 'L'

When saying 'email', make sure your tongue touches the back of your top teeth for the 'l'. It's crisper than the English 'l'.

Abbreviation

On a resume or business card, use 'Mél :' instead of writing out 'Email :' to follow official French conventions.

Shortened Forms

Don't be surprised if you hear 'Je t'envoie un mail'. The 'e' is often dropped in fast, casual speech in France.

Attachments

Always mention 'en pièce jointe' if you are sending something 'par email'. It's polite and ensures the recipient looks for the file.

Linguistic Pride

Some older French people might prefer 'courriel'. If you want to be safe and polite with everyone, 'par email' is neutral enough.

Association

Link 'par email' with 'par avion'. Both are ways things travel from one place to another.

Speed

Use 'par email' when you want to emphasize that the communication is fast and digital.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'PAR-achute' dropping an 'EMAIL' into your lap. It's the way it arrives!

Visual Association

Imagine a letter with wings flying through a Wi-Fi signal.

Word Web

Internet Ordinateur Message Envoyer Recevoir Contact Clavier Écran

Challenge

Try to say 'Je t'envoie un message par email' five times fast without stumbling over the 'r' in 'par'.

Word Origin

The phrase combines the French preposition 'par' (from Latin 'per') with the English loanword 'email'.

Original meaning: By electronic mail.

Indo-European (Romance + Germanic influence).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware of the 'email' vs 'courriel' debate among linguistic purists.

English speakers find this easy because 'email' is the same word, but must remember the preposition 'par'.

The 'Loi Toubon' in France which influences the use of 'courriel' over 'email'. French tech blogs like Journal du Net. Administrative portals like service-public.fr.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Professional / Office

Je vous l'envoie par email.
On confirme par email ?
Faites-moi un retour par email.
C'est dans l'email d'hier.

Administration

Envoyez votre dossier par email.
La réponse arrive par email.
Contactez-nous par email.
Pas d'envoi par email.

Social / Friends

Je t'envoie les photos par email.
On se parle par email ?
Donne-moi ton adresse par email.
Je t'ai écrit par email.

Shopping / E-commerce

Recevez votre reçu par email.
Suivi de commande par email.
Offres exclusives par email.
Contactez le SAV par email.

Education

Rendu des devoirs par email.
Note envoyée par email.
Lien du cours par email.
Questions par email uniquement.

Conversation Starters

"Est-ce que je peux vous envoyer mon CV par email ?"

"Préfères-tu que je t'envoie les détails par email ou par SMS ?"

"Avez-vous bien reçu mon message envoyé par email ce matin ?"

"Serait-il possible d'avoir une confirmation par email pour notre rendez-vous ?"

"Pourquoi est-ce que tu ne m'as pas répondu par email hier ?"

Journal Prompts

Décris une journée où tu as reçu beaucoup trop de messages par email.

Est-ce que tu penses que la communication par email est plus efficace que le téléphone ?

Imagine que tu dois envoyer une lettre importante par email. Que vas-tu écrire ?

Raconte une fois où tu as fait une erreur en envoyant un document par email.

Préfères-tu recevoir des nouvelles de tes amis par email ou sur les réseaux sociaux ?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

The word 'email' is masculine (un email), so the phrase 'par email' refers to a masculine medium. You don't see the gender in the phrase itself because there is no article, but if you said 'un email', it would be masculine.

In France, 'par email' is most common for daily and professional use. Use 'par courriel' if you want to be very formal or if you are in Quebec, where 'courriel' is the official and preferred term.

Yes, 'par mail' is extremely common in spoken French in France. It is slightly more informal than 'par email' but perfectly acceptable in most offices.

In French, prepositions of means like 'par' often drop the article when referring to a general method of transport or communication. It's the same as 'par avion' or 'par téléphone'.

It is often pronounced /e.mɛl/ or /i.mɛl/. The 'e' is more like the 'e' in 'egg' or 'hey', and the 'l' is clear and sharp.

It is always 'par email'. 'En email' is an anglicism/error that learners often make. 'Par' indicates the means of transmission.

'Mél' is the official French abbreviation for 'messagerie électronique'. You will see it on business cards followed by an email address, but you never say 'par mél' out loud.

Yes, 'via email' is used, especially in technical or professional contexts, but 'par email' is more natural and common in everyday speech.

You say 'en pièce jointe' or 'ci-joint dans l'email'. For example: 'Je vous envoie le document en pièce jointe par email'.

No, it is a common noun and should not be capitalized unless it's at the beginning of a sentence.