Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| courriel | /ku.ʁjɛl/ | masculine |
| courrier électronique | /ku.ʁje e.lɛk.tʁɔ.nik/ | masculine |
| message électronique m e-mail | colloquial, masculine | |
| /i.mɛl/ /i.mɛjl/ |
colloquial, masculine |
The term refers to a message sent through email. You can use the phrase envoyer un courrier électronique to express the action of sending an email.
What does it mean word for word?
The word courriel is a portmanteau of courrier (mail) and électronique (electronic).
Which one should you use?
While courriel is the standard and preferred term in formal and official contexts, especially in Quebec and in French administration, email is an anglicism used in casual conversation. The phrase message électronique m e-mail is also used colloquially.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The most standard and formal term for "email" in French is courrier électronique. Courriel is used in both formal and informal contexts. In contrast, email is an anglicism used in informal conversations.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, courriel is the official and most widely used term to avoid anglicisms.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun courriel is masculine, so it takes the indefinite article un.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ku.ʁjɛl/ and consists of two syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using courriel is much more appropriate for formal writing or professional settings in French.
Did you know?
- The word courriel was created in French-speaking Canada around 1994 and was later adopted by France.
- The term courriel was actually a deliberate invention of a terminologist in Quebec to prevent the language from being overtaken by English.
- In a professional French setting, choosing courriel over 'email' can demonstrate a higher level of education and respect for linguistic purity.
Examples in context
- J'ai reçu un courriel bizarre.I got a weird email.This sentence shows how to use courriel to describe receiving a strange message.Tatoeba #2345806 by sacredceltic, translation #2345158 by Hybrid
- C'est un courriel indésirable.This is a spam email.This sentence demonstrates the term courriel when identifying spam.Tatoeba #9159504 by Julien_PDC, translation #13350127 by menaud
- Je leur ai envoyé un courriel.I sent an email to them.This sentence illustrates the use of courriel when describing the act of sending a message.Tatoeba #12938923 by lbdx, translation #3907453 by CH
- Veuillez envoyer votre réponse par courrier électronique .Please send your response via email.
- Je t'ai envoyé un courriel avec toutes les informations.I sent you an email with all the information.
- Je vais t'envoyer un email avec les détails de notre rencontre.I will send you an email with the details of our meeting.
- 82 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are at a cafe discussing work.
- EmmaAs-tu reçu mon courriel hier ?Did you receive my email yesterday?
- LucasNon, je n'ai pas vu de courriel de ta part.No, I didn't see an email from you.
- EmmaC'est étrange, je l'ai envoyé à ton adresse.That's strange, I sent it to your address.
- LucasVérifie tes brouillons, Emma.Check your drafts, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “email” translations and entries courriel, courrier électronique, email, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries courriel, courrier, e-mail, email, message, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
