amitiés
The French word for regards is amitiés.
amitiés is used to convey regards, such as when telling someone that a third party sends their regards. While it translates to 'regards', it is not used as a standalone sign-off in formal business letters. Instead, it is used in friendly correspondence or when conveying wishes to someone else.
Meaning: greeting at the end of a letter (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word amitiés literally means 'friendships'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In informal situations involving friends, family or acquaintances, you can use amitiés to mean 'regards'. For even more informal settings like close family or friends, Grosses bises (literally 'big kisses') is used. For professional or business emails, Cordialement is the appropriate way to say 'Cordially' or 'Yours sincerely'. In very formal contexts, such as writing to high-ranking officials, you should use the phrase Je vous prie d'agréer, Madame/Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a greeting or a way to send regards, amitiés is always used in its plural form.
Did you know?
- When sending regards via a third party, the French often use the verb embrasser, which literally means 'to kiss', even if no physical kissing is intended.
- The term Cordialement comes from the Latin 'cor', meaning 'heart', implying that the formal 'regards' are sent from the heart.
- If you write amitiés in a letter to someone you do not know personally, it may seem strangely intimate or even inappropriate. In French, the transition from 'acquaintance' to 'friend' is a significant social step.
Examples in context
- Mon frère vous envoie ses amitiés.My brother sends you his regards.This sentence shows how to say that a brother sends his regards using amitiés.Tatoeba #1357923 by sacredceltic, translation #237827 by CK
- Veuillez présenter mes amitiés à votre père.Please give my regards to your father.This sentence is useful for asking someone to pass regards to their father using amitiés.Tatoeba #474180 by sacredceltic, translation #16919 by CK
- Transmettez mes amitiés à votre mari.Please give my best regards to your husband.This sentence is useful for asking someone to pass regards to their husband using amitiés.Tatoeba #182063 by superbolo, translation #54447 by CM
- Monsieur Dupont, Veuillez trouver ci-joint le rapport demandé. Cordialement, CamilleMr. Dupont, Please find the requested report attached. Cordially, Camille
- Salut Paul, J'espère que tu vas bien. Amicalement, MarieHi Paul, I hope you are doing well. Warm regards, Marie
- Coucou Sophie, Ça fait longtemps qu'on ne s'est pas vues. Grosses bises, PaulineHey Sophie, It's been a long time since we saw each other. Big kisses, Pauline
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma is finishing a casual email to Hugo.
- EmmaJe termine mon mail maintenant.I am finishing my email now.
- HugoTu écris quoi pour la fin ?What are you writing for the end?
- EmmaJe vais juste mettre « Amitiés ».I'll just put "Regards".
- HugoC'est parfait pour un ami.That's perfect for a friend.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
