cordialement
/kɔʁ.djal.mɑ̃/
The English phrase 'sincerely' is translated into French as cordialement.
In written correspondence, cordialement is the standard, neutral way to say 'sincerely' or 'best regards'.
Meaning: In a sincere or earnest manner, honestly (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is an adverb derived from cordial, which relates to the heart (cor/cordis).
Which one should you use?
Adding 'bien' to the front, as in bien cordialement, makes the closing slightly warmer and more polite than the standard cordialement, translating to 'very sincerely' or 'warm regards'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
cordialement is neutral/formal.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɔʁ.djal.mɑ̃/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using sincèrement as a sign-off in letters. While it means 'sincerely' in an adverbial sense, it is not used as a formal letter closing in French.
When do people say it?
Je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur/Madame, l'expression de mes sentiments les plus sincères. is commonly used to conclude a formal letter or email.
Did you know?
- English speakers often mistakenly use sincèrement to sign letters because of the direct translation, but in French, this sounds like you are suddenly testifying to your honesty rather than ending a letter.
- While cordialement is the standard modern closing, traditional French formal letters use incredibly long phrases like Je vous prie d'agréer… which essentially asks the recipient to 'accept' the writer's feelings.
- The root cor in cordialement is a Latin relative of the English word 'core', as both refer to the center or the heart of something.
Examples in context
- Je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur/Madame, l'expression de mes sentiments les plus sincères.I beg you to accept, Sir/Madam, the expression of my sincerest feelings.
- Je vous prie de croire en l'expression de mes sentiments respectueux.Please believe in the expression of my respectful feelings.
- Veuillez agréer, Monsieur/Madame, l'assurance de ma considération distinguée.Please accept, Sir/Madam, the assurance of my distinguished consideration.
- Je vous prie d'agréer l'expression de ma haute considération.I beg you to accept the expression of my high consideration.
- Je t'adresse toutes mes sincères pensées.I send you all my sincere thoughts.
- Je vous assure que je le dis en toute sincérité.I assure you that I say this with complete sincerity.
- Je suis sincèrement désolé(e) de…I am sincerely sorry for…
- Je tiens à vous remercier sincèrement pour…I want to sincerely thank you for…
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are finishing a professional email exchange.
- ManonJe vous envoie le dossier maintenant.I am sending you the file now.
- LucasMerci beaucoup, Manon.Thank you very much, Manon.
- ManonJe vous remercie cordialement, Lucas.I sincerely thank you, Lucas.
- LucasÀ bientôt !See you soon!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cordialement, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cordialement, CC BY-SA 4.0.
