What does it mean word for word?
The phrase dans l'attente de votre réponse literally translates to "in the expectation of your response".
Which one should you use?
While dans l'attente de votre réponse is the standard formal version, other options exist depending on the tone. For a formal tone that specifically means "hoping to hear from you soon", you can use En espérant avoir de vos nouvelles prochainement. If you are speaking informally, you might use J'attends ta réponse avec impatience to say "I am eagerly awaiting your response" or Hâte de recevoir de tes nouvelles to say "Looking forward to hearing from you".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
dans l'attente de votre réponse is highly formal and is typically used in professional correspondence rather than casual emails. For friends or acquaintances, the informal Hâte de recevoir de tes nouvelles is more appropriate. In informal settings, you might also say J'attends ta réponse avec impatience.
How does it change in a sentence?
The use of votre in dans l'attente de votre réponse makes this phrase suitable for addressing one person formally or multiple people. To use this phrase in an informal context with someone you know well, you would replace votre with ta, resulting in dans l'attente de ta réponse.
Did you know?
- In very traditional French administration, the phrase dans l'attente de votre réponse is often just the start of a much longer sentence that ends with a formal closing like je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées.
- If you use the informal Hâte de recevoir de tes nouvelles with a boss or a stranger, it can come across as overly emotional or even desperate, as 'hâte' implies a sense of urgency or physical haste.
- In professional French, one often uses the phrase dans l'attente de… without a main verb like 'I am'. It functions as a complete, sophisticated way to end a letter, appearing more like a noun-based heading than a standard sentence.
Examples in context
- J'attends ta réponse avec impatience pour savoir si tu es disponible samedi soir. J'espère vraiment qu'on pourra se retrouver. À bientôt!I am eagerly awaiting your response to know if you are available on Saturday night. I really hope we can get together. See you soon!
- Je reste dans l'attente de votre réponse.I remain in expectation of your reply.
- Je vous écris dans l'attente de votre réponse concernant le contrat.I am writing to you in anticipation of your reply regarding the contract.
Example conversation
Nathan is emailing Chloé to apply for a job position.
- NathanVeuillez trouver mon CV ci-joint pour le poste.Please find my CV attached for the position.
- ChloéMerci Nathan, je vais examiner votre profil demain.Thank you Nathan, I will review your profile tomorrow.
- NathanJe vous remercie. Dans l'attente de votre réponse.Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.
- ChloéC'est entendu, à très bientôt.Understood, see you very soon.
