How to format formal business emails in German

To write formal business emails in German, formatting and language etiquette follow clear cultural and professional norms:

• Start with a formal salutation using “Sehr geehrte(r) Herr/Frau [Last Name],” which is equivalent to “Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],”
• Use formal language and the polite pronoun Sie throughout the email.
• Structure the body clearly, starting with a brief introduction or reference to prior contact, followed by the purpose of the email in concise paragraphs.
• Maintain a respectful tone, avoiding colloquialisms and keeping sentences well-formed and polite.
• Close with a polite complimentary closing phrase such as “Mit freundlichen Grüßen” (with kind regards), followed by your full name and contact information.
• Attention to correct grammar, punctuation, and formal vocabulary is essential for a professional impression.

Such formal email writing in German emphasizes respect and professional distance, consistent with the cultural use of formal address Sie as a sign of politeness and professionalism in business communication. ^{1, 2}

References

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• Language Models for German Text Simplification: Overcoming Parallel Data Scarcity through Style-specific Pre-training

• Language Models for German Text Simplification: Overcoming Parallel Data Scarcity through Style-specific Pre-training

• SPEECH ACTS ON COMPANY’S PRESENTATION IN GERMAN FOR BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS