A formal French email usually begins with a greeting line, then a comma, then a new line. The greeting you choose depends on what you know about the reader. If you know the person's title and surname, you can be specific. If you only know whether the reader is a man or a woman, you can use a title alone. If you do not know who will read the message, you can address both possibilities. In this workshop you will hear short examples, decide which opening fits a situation, and practice saying the lines yourself. You can play both roles when you practice with the recordings, but there is no automatic assessment, so check your answers against the notes after each task.
Opening Lines for a Known Reader
When you know the reader's surname and title, a formal email can start with a specific greeting. The recording «Bonjour Monsieur Dupont,» means 'Dear Mr. Dupont,' and it is used when you know the man's surname. The recording «Bonjour Madame Martin,» means 'Dear Ms. Martin,' and it is used when you know the woman's surname. In professional French, 'Madame' is the standard title for a woman, whether or not she is married. After the greeting, put a comma and begin the body of the email on the next line. These openings are short, so say them slowly and clearly. The rhythm matters more than speed.
Opening Lines When You Do Not Know the Name
Sometimes you know only that the reader is a man, or you do not know who will read the email at all. The recording «Bonjour Monsieur,» means 'Dear Sir,' and it is used when you know the recipient is a man but not his name. The recording «Madame, Monsieur,» means 'Dear Sir or Madam,' and it is the safe opening for a first contact when you do not know who will read the message. Notice the comma between the two titles in «Madame, Monsieur,». If you are replying to a general contact address, «Bonjour Monsieur,» or «Madame, Monsieur,» can both work, depending on what you know. Choose the one that matches the information you have.
Greetings Inside a Short Exchange
A greeting can also appear at the start of a longer message. The recording «Bonjour Madame Roy, je vous écris au sujet de votre annonce.» means 'Dear Ms. Roy, I am writing to you about your advertisement.' Here the greeting is followed by a clear reason for writing. The recording «Bonjour Monsieur, pouvez-vous préciser votre demande ?» means 'Dear Sir, could you specify your request?' This is a polite message that asks for more detail. The recording «Madame, Monsieur, je souhaite obtenir un devis pour vos services.» means 'Dear Sir or Madam, I would like to obtain a quote for your services.' This opening is used when the writer does not know who will read the message. The recording «Bonjour Docteur Legrand, votre dossier est bien reçu.» means 'Dear Dr. Legrand, your file has been received.' This shows a greeting followed by a short status update. In each example, the greeting comes first, then a comma, then the message.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Bonjour Monsieur Dupont,
Dear Mr. Dupont,
bon-ZHOOR muh-SYUH doo-PON
Bonjour Madame Martin,
Dear Ms. Martin,
bon-ZHOOR ma-DAM mar-TAN
Bonjour Monsieur,
Dear Sir,
bon-ZHOOR muh-SYUH
Madame, Monsieur,
Dear Sir or Madam,
ma-DAM muh-SYUH
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Bonjour Madame Roy, je vous écris au sujet de votre annonce.
Dear Ms. Roy, I am writing to you about your advertisement.Bonjour Monsieur, pouvez-vous préciser votre demande ?
Dear Sir, could you specify your request?Madame, Monsieur, je souhaite obtenir un devis pour vos services.
Dear Sir or Madam, I would like to obtain a quote for your services.Bonjour Docteur Legrand, votre dossier est bien reçu.
Dear Dr. Legrand, your file has been received.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Open the Email
You are writing a formal email to a man whose surname you know: Monsieur Dupont. You will say the opening line aloud, then say it again more slowly. Use only the greeting from the recording.
Your task: Listen to «Bonjour Monsieur Dupont,», repeat it aloud and write that exact opening. Then practise «Bonjour Madame Martin,» as a separate message to Madame Martin. Match the title and surname to each named recipient; no extra reason for writing is required.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Opening
You will hear two short replies. One is addressed to a man whose name you do not know. The other is addressed to a reader whose name and gender you do not know. Decide which recording matches each situation.
Your task: Listen to «Bonjour Monsieur,» and «Madame, Monsieur,». Which one would you use when you know the reader is a man but not his name? Which one would you use when you do not know who will read the email? Say your choice aloud, then say the full greeting from the matching recording.
Recall two separate email openings
Treat these recorded lines as examples of separate email messages. One writer mentions an advertisement; another asks the recipient to clarify a request. They are not a four-turn spoken dialogue.
Your task: Read «Bonjour Madame Roy, je vous écris au sujet de votre annonce.» and «Bonjour Monsieur, pouvez-vous préciser votre demande ?». Which message concerns an advertisement? Which asks for clarification? Answer in English, then choose one complete recorded line and write it from memory.
Common questions
When should I use a specific name instead of a general title?
Use a specific name when you know the reader's title and surname, as in «Bonjour Monsieur Dupont,» or «Bonjour Madame Martin,». Use a general title when you know only whether the reader is a man or a woman, as in «Bonjour Monsieur,». Use the paired titles when you do not know who will read the email, as in «Madame, Monsieur,». The more you know about the reader, the more specific your greeting can be.
Can I use these greetings in a longer message?
Yes. The recordings «Bonjour Madame Roy, je vous écris au sujet de votre annonce.», «Bonjour Monsieur, pouvez-vous préciser votre demande ?», «Madame, Monsieur, je souhaite obtenir un devis pour vos services.», and «Bonjour Docteur Legrand, votre dossier est bien reçu.» show greetings at the start of longer messages. The greeting comes first, then a comma, then the body of the message. You can follow the same pattern: choose the greeting that matches what you know about the reader, then continue with your reason for writing.
Sources and further reading
- french: formal email greetingsChecked September 2026
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