How to Close a Formal Email in Spanish: Sincerely, Best Regards, and More
Learn to end formal Spanish emails correctly with closings like Atentamente, Saludos cordiales, and Quedo atento, plus when each one fits.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In Spanish formal emails, the closing line does more work than in English. It signals how much distance or warmth you intend, and it often changes shape depending on whether you know the recipient, whether you are asking for something, and whether you expect a reply. This lesson focuses only on endings: the word or phrase that appears above your name. You will learn the most useful Latin American closings, how they pair with set phrases like Quedo atento, and how to avoid the most common mistake English speakers make: translating 'Sincerely' word for word.
By the end, you can…
- choose an appropriate formal Spanish email closing for a professional message.
- distinguish between Atentamente, Saludos cordiales, and Quedo atento in terms of tone and expectation.
- write a complete closing block with a courtesy line and my name.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Atentamente,
Sincerely, / Yours faithfully,
ah-ten-tah-MEN-teh
The most neutral, widely accepted formal closing in Latin American Spanish. Use it when you do not know the recipient well or want a serious, respectful tone. It works for job applications, complaints, and official requests. In Spain, Atentamente is also standard, though Un saludo or Saludos are more common in everyday professional email.
Saludos cordiales,
Best regards, / Kind regards,
sah-LOO-dohs kor-DYA-lehs
Slightly warmer than Atentamente but still professional. Common in business emails between colleagues or after a first contact. In Mexico and Central America it is extremely common; in the Southern Cone, Saludos alone is often enough.
Quedo atento a su respuesta,
I look forward to your reply,
KEH-doh ah-TEN-toh ah soo res-PWES-tah
Use this courtesy line just before the closing when you expect or need a reply. If you are female, write Quedo atenta. For a group or formal plural, use Quedamos atentos a su respuesta.
Agradezco de antemano su atención,
Thank you in advance for your attention,
ah-grah-DEH-skoh deh an-TAH-noh soo ah-ten-SYOHN
A polite line for requests where you are asking for time or a favor. It softens the request and appears before Atentamente or Saludos cordiales.
Sin otro particular,
With nothing further to add, / That is all for now,
seen OH-troh par-tee-koo-LAR
A traditional courtesy line used mostly in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile before the closing. It signals the message is complete. In Mexico and the Caribbean it sounds old-fashioned; use Agradezco su atención instead. Note that it is a courtesy line, not a closing, so a closing word such as Atentamente or Saludos cordiales still follows it.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Spanish formal closings usually follow a two-part pattern: a courtesy line, then a closing word, then your name. For example: Agradezco de antemano su atención. Quedo atento a su respuesta. Atentamente, Laura Méndez. The courtesy line is optional, but the closing word is not. Notice that Atentamente and Saludos cordiales are standalone closings, while Quedo atento a su respuesta and Sin otro particular are courtesy lines that still need a closing after them. You can also combine them: Quedo atento a su respuesta. Saludos cordiales, Laura Méndez.
When to use it
Choose Atentamente when the relationship is distant or the topic is serious: a job application, a formal complaint, a message to a government office. Choose Saludos cordiales when you want to sound professional but approachable, such as writing to a colleague in another department or a client you have already met. Use Quedo atento a su respuesta only when you genuinely expect a reply; if you are just informing someone, it can sound pushy. In Latin America, Atentamente is safe almost everywhere, while Sin otro particular is best reserved for Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Estimada señora Ríos: Le escribo para solicitar información sobre el curso de posgrado. Agradezco de antemano su atención. Quedo atento a su respuesta. Atentamente, Carlos Vega.
Dear Mrs. Ríos: I am writing to request information about the graduate course. Thank you in advance for your attention. I look forward to your reply. Sincerely, Carlos Vega.es-tee-MAH-dah seh-NYOH-rah REE-ohs: leh es-KREE-boh pah-rah so-lee-see-TAR in-for-mah-SYOHN SO-breh el KOOR-soh deh pos-GRAH-doh. ah-grah-DEH-skoh deh an-TAH-noh soo ah-ten-SYOHN. KEH-doh ah-TEN-toh ah soo res-PWES-tah. ah-ten-tah-MEN-teh, KAR-lohs VEH-gah.Estimado Carlos: Gracias por su mensaje. Con gusto le envío la información solicitada. Saludos cordiales, Ana Ríos.
Dear Carlos: Thank you for your message. I am happy to send you the requested information. Best regards, Ana Ríos.es-tee-MAH-doh KAR-lohs: GRAH-syahs por soo men-SAH-heh. kon GOOS-toh leh en-VEE-oh lah in-for-mah-SYOHN so-lee-see-TAH-dah. sah-LOO-dohs kor-DYA-lehs, AH-nah REE-ohs.Muchas gracias por su pronta respuesta. Quedo atento a cualquier información adicional. Atentamente, Carlos Vega.
Thank you very much for your prompt reply. I look forward to any additional information. Sincerely, Carlos Vega.MOO-chahs GRAH-syahs por soo PROHN-tah res-PWES-tah. KEH-doh ah-TEN-toh ah kwal-KYEHR in-for-mah-SYOHN ah-dee-syo-NAHL. ah-ten-tah-MEN-teh, KAR-lohs VEH-gah.Con mucho gusto. Cualquier duda, quedo a su disposición. Saludos cordiales, Ana Ríos.
You are very welcome. If you have any questions, I am at your disposal. Best regards, Ana Ríos.kon MOO-choh GOOS-toh. kwal-KYEHR DOO-dah, KEH-doh ah soo dees-po-see-SYOHN. sah-LOO-dohs kor-DYA-lehs, AH-nah REE-ohs.A little context goes a long way
In much of Latin America, Atentamente is the default safe closing for formal writing, but it can feel stiff in a friendly workplace. Saludos cordiales is warmer and very common in Mexico, Colombia, and Central America. In Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile, Sin otro particular remains a normal courtesy line before the closing, while in the Caribbean and Mexico it can sound dated. When in doubt, match the closing your recipient used in their previous email.
One thing to watch for
Translating 'Sincerely' as Sinceramente at the end of a formal email.
Try this instead: Sinceramente is not used as an email closing in Spanish. It sounds like a literal translation and can confuse readers. Use Atentamente for a neutral formal closing, or Saludos cordiales for a warmer one. For example: Atentamente, Laura Méndez.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are writing to a government office you have never contacted and you need a reply. Which closing block fits best?
Show a sample answer
Agradezco de antemano su atención. Quedo atento a su respuesta. Atentamente, [your name].
This works because the courtesy line thanks them in advance, Quedo atento signals you expect a reply, and Atentamente keeps the tone formal and neutral. Saludos cordiales would also be acceptable, but it is slightly warmer and less distant.
2A colleague in your company sends you a quick update. You want to reply professionally but warmly. Which closing is best?
Show a sample answer
Saludos cordiales, [your name].
Saludos cordiales is professional but friendlier than Atentamente, which suits an internal colleague. Atentamente would not be wrong, but it can feel unnecessarily distant in this context.
3Your email is a simple notification and you do not need a reply. Should you write Quedo atento a su respuesta?
Show a sample answer
No. Use a neutral closing such as Atentamente or Saludos cordiales without Quedo atento.
Quedo atento a su respuesta implies you are waiting for an answer. If no reply is needed, it can sound pushy or confusing. A simple Atentamente, [your name] is enough.
End formal Spanish emails with Atentamente for neutral distance or Saludos cordiales for warmth. Add Quedo atento a su respuesta only when you truly expect a reply, and never close with Sinceramente.
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