au plaisir de vous lire
To say look forward to hearing from you in French, use au plaisir de vous lire. It is a polite way to close a letter or email.
au plaisir de vous lire is used in written messages, not in conversation, to show you hope for a reply.
What does it mean word for word?
Word for word it reads to the pleasure of reading you.
Which one should you use?
Je me réjouis de recevoir de vos nouvelles. means I look forward to receiving news from you. J'ai hâte d'avoir de tes nouvelles. means I can't wait to hear from you. J'attends ta réponse avec impatience! means I'm eagerly awaiting your response.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal business letters, dans l'attente de votre réponse may fit better, since au plaisir de vous lire can feel a little light. Votre retour est vivement attendu. is formal. J'ai hâte d'avoir de tes nouvelles. is informal.
How does it change in a sentence?
With a friend you address as tu, change vous to te and write au plaisir de te lire.
Did you know?
- The pronoun vous is part of a vast linguistic family, sharing a common ancient root with the Russian word вы (vy) and the Italian word voi.
- French correspondence relies on highly rigid 'formules de politesse', which are standardized closing etiquette rules. Because of this, using a relatively light phrase like au plaisir de vous lire in a formal legal or official document might be considered a professional mistake.
Examples in context
- Je me réjouis de recevoir de vos nouvelles concernant la suite de la procédure de recrutement.I look forward to receiving news from you regarding the next steps of the recruitment process.
- J'ai hâte d'avoir de tes nouvelles et de rattraper le temps perdu.I can't wait to hear from you and catch up on lost time.
- J'attends ta réponse avec impatience pour que tu me racontes tous les détails en personne.I'm eagerly awaiting your response so that you can tell me all the details in person.
- Dans l'attente de votre réponse, au plaisir de vous lire.Awaiting your reply, look forward to hearing from you.
- Merci d'avance, au plaisir de vous lire.Thanks in advance, look forward to hearing from you.
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are exchanging professional emails regarding a project.
- HugoVoici les documents pour le projet, au plaisir de vous lire.Here are the documents for the project, look forward to hearing from you.
- LéaBien reçu, je les examine et je vous reviens.Received, I will examine them and get back to you.
- HugoTrès bien, j'attends votre retour.Very well, I await your feedback.
- LéaÀ bientôt, Hugo.See you soon, Hugo.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, lire, plaisir, vous, CC BY-SA 4.0.
