Writing to a penfriend: letters and emails

Write a short letter or email to a French penfriend, and learn how to start and end it politely, formally or informally.

Practise this lesson free (7 questions)

Starting and ending

Cher agrees: cher for a male, chère for a female, chers for several people. Bisous (kisses) is only for close friends and family.
Informal (friend, family)Formal (adult you don't know)
StartCher Paul, / Chère Léa, / Salut !Madame, / Monsieur, / Madame, Monsieur,
Usetuvous
EndÀ bientôt ! / Amitiés, / Bisous,Cordialement,

What to write

Introduce yourself: Je m'appelle..., j'ai ... ans, j'habite à...
Add details with connectives: et (and), mais (but), aussi (also), parce que (because).
Ask questions back: Et toi ? (And you?) Tu as des frères et sœurs ? Qu'est-ce que tu aimes faire ?
Finish with Écris-moi vite ! = Write back soon!

An example email

Salut Tom !
Je m'appelle Inès et j'habite à Lyon, en France. J'ai treize ans. J'ai un frère, Hugo, et un chien qui s'appelle Biscuit. J'adore le basket mais je déteste les maths. Et toi, tu aimes le sport ?
Écris-moi vite !
Amitiés,
Inès
Practice extract, written for GCSE-ready
Worked example

Start an email to your penfriend Lucas: say hello, give your name (Amy) and ask how he is.

  1. Lucas is a boy: Cher Lucas.
  2. My name is Amy: je m'appelle Amy.
  3. How are you? (friend): Ça va ?

Answer: Cher Lucas, je m'appelle Amy. Ça va ?

Key idea

Informal: Cher / Chère ..., tu, À bientôt / Amitiés. Formal: Madame / Monsieur, vous, Cordialement. Introduce yourself, add connectives, ask Et toi ? and end with Écris-moi vite !

Common mistakes
Quick check

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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. How do you start a letter to your friend Lucas?

    1. Chère Lucas,
    2. Chers Lucas,
    3. Madame Lucas,
    4. Cher Lucas,
    Show the answer

    Answer: Cher Lucas,

    Cher for a male friend.

  2. Which opening suits a formal email to a head teacher?

    1. Salut !
    2. Coucou !
    3. Cher copain,
    4. Madame, Monsieur,
    Show the answer

    Answer: Madame, Monsieur,

    Madame, Monsieur, is formal.

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Practise this lesson free (7 questions)All KS3 French lessons

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Sources and references

Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.