Merci pour votre e-mail
Merci pour votre e-mail is the French way to say "thank you for your email".
This phrase is a standard, neutral way to acknowledge receipt of an electronic message in a professional or semi-formal setting.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Merci (thank you), pour (for), votre (your) and e-mail (email).
Which one should you use?
While Merci pour votre e-mail is common, using de instead of pour in Merci de votre e-mail is often considered more elegant or formal in written correspondence. You may also use the more complete verb phrase Je vous remercie de votre e-mail (I thank you for your email) in very formal professional contexts.
Did you know?
- The word merci actually shares a root with the English word 'mercy', but its Latin ancestor mercēdem originally referred to 'wages' or a 'price' rather than an expression of gratitude.
- In France, the word e-mail is common, but the government officially promotes the term courriel, a blend of 'courrier' and 'électronique'.
- While English speakers often start an email with 'Thanks for your email', a French writer might omit this phrase entirely to maintain a more formal distance.
Examples in context
- Merci pour votre e-mail, Monsieur.Thank you for your email, Sir.
- Merci pour votre e-mail concernant le projet.Thank you for your email regarding the project.
- Je vous réponds vite, merci pour votre e-mail.I will reply to you quickly, thank you for your email.
Example conversation
Gabriel is replying to a business inquiry from Manon.
- GabrielMerci pour votre e-mail, Manon.Thank you for your email, Manon.
- ManonJe vous en prie, Gabriel.You're welcome, Gabriel.
- GabrielAvez-vous reçu les documents ?Did you receive the documents?
- ManonOui, je les ai bien reçus.Yes, I received them well.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries e-mail, merci, pour, votre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
