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?
Dans l'attente de votre réponse is a standard professional closing. It is more formal than simply using closings like À bientôt (See you soon) or Cordialement (Sincerely).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Dans l'attente de votre réponse is a formal way to close a professional email or letter. For more intense or formal eagerness, you might use J'attends votre réponse avec impatience to mean 'I am looking forward to your response eagerly'. For informal situations, you can use J'ai hâte de te lire (I can't wait to hear from you), J'attends ta réponse avec impatience (I am eagerly awaiting your response) or J'ai hâte d'avoir de tes nouvelles (I am excited to hear from you).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, you may hear the shortened form Hâte d'avoir de tes nouvelles to mean 'I'm excited to hear from you'.
Did you know?
- French formal correspondence often uses the phrase Dans l'attente de votre réponse as a lead-in to a complex, multi-line closing formula called a 'formule de politesse'.
- The word réponse is a 'semi-learned' word, meaning it was shaped by both the natural evolution of Old French and a conscious effort to mimic its Latin ancestor respōnsum.
- While English speakers use the word 'looking' to express anticipation, the French equivalent Dans l'attente de votre réponse uses 'attente', which focuses on the state of 'waiting' rather than the act of 'looking'.
Examples in context
- J'attends votre réponse avec impatience. J'ai hâte de continuer notre échange.I am looking forward to your response eagerly. I am excited to continue our conversation.
- Je reste dans l'attente de votre réponse concernant ce projet.I am looking forward to hearing from you regarding this project.
- Dans l'attente de votre réponse, je vous souhaite une bonne journée.Looking forward to hearing from you, I wish you a good day.
Example conversation
Chloé sends a professional email to Gabriel regarding a job application.
- ChloéBonjour Gabriel, je vous envoie mon CV. Dans l'attente de votre réponse.Hello Gabriel, I am sending you my CV. Looking forward to hearing from you.
- GabrielBonjour Chloé, j'ai bien reçu votre message.Hello Chloé, I have received your message.
- ChloéMerci beaucoup pour votre rapidité.Thank you very much for your promptness.
- GabrielJe reviendrai vers vous très bientôt.I will get back to you very soon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dans, de, réponse, votre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
