5.0 KiB
Parts & Functions
- 1: Sender's Address: Identify Sender and where to respond to
- 2: Date: Date of writing
- 3: Recipient's Address: Identify Recipient and for the mailman (if envelope with window)
- 4: Salutation: Greeting
- 5: Subject Line: Subject Line
- 6: Opening/Reference: Introduction as to why
- 7: Main enquiry/body: The meat and potatoes of the letter
- 8: Call to action: Request
- 9: Closing paragraph: Get the recipient to respond
- 10: Complimentary Close: A nice way to say goodbye
- 11: Signature Block: To show that you mean business. Verify.
UK vs US Letter
| Merkmal | UK Letter Format | US Letter Format |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Meist semi-blocked: Absenderadresse und Datum rechtsbündig, Empfängeradresse links. | Full block: Alles linksbündig (Adresse, Datum, Text, Grußformel). |
| Datumsschreibweise | 6 November 2025 (Tag–Monat–Jahr, ohne Komma) | November 6, 2025 (Monat–Tag–Jahr, mit Komma) |
| Betreffzeile (Subject line) | Steht vor der Anrede (Subject: Enquiry about printers) | Steht nach der Anrede oder wird oft ganz weggelassen |
| Anredezeichen | Nach der Anrede meist Komma (Dear Mr Brown,) | Traditionell Doppelpunkt, modern auch Komma (Dear Mr. Brown:) |
| Grußformel (Complimentary close) | Yours sincerely (Name bekannt) / Yours faithfully (Dear Sir/Madam) | Sincerely / Sincerely yours |
| Rechtschreibung / Stil | Britisches Englisch (colour, organisation, enquiry) | Amerikanisches Englisch (color, organization, inquiry) |
| Papierformat | A4 (210 × 297 mm) | „Letter“ (8.5 × 11 inches ≈ 216 × 279 mm) |
Where is the UK Letter format used?
Ex-colonies and members of the commonwealth. US Letter is used in the US, Phillippines, and Latin America.
Typische Phrasen
| English phrase from the example enquiry | German equivalent / meaning |
|---|---|
| Your organization has been in the news as a leader in the industry. | Ihr Unternehmen war in den Nachrichten als führend in der Branche. |
| We are interested in [...] | Wir interessieren uns für [...] |
| Please send us your price list as well as information, terms of payment and delivery. | Bitte senden Sie uns Ihre Preisliste sowie Informationen zu Zahlungs- und Lieferbedingungen. |
| Please also indicate your shortest delivery time. | Bitte geben Sie auch Ihre kürzeste Lieferzeit an. |
| We would frequently order in great quantities. | Wir würden regelmäßig in großen Mengen bestellen. |
| We hope to be hearing from you. | Wir hoffen, bald von Ihnen zu hören. |
3: Writing an inquiry
Trading Estimated Husemannstr. 42 584242 Witten Fon: 02302-425842-0 Fax: 02302- 42542-42 E-mail: superservice@tradingestimated.witten.de,
6th of November 2025
Neway, 17898 Worster Ct #150 Richmond BC V6V 2B8 Canada Fon: +18003901119 www.neway.ca
Subject: Enquiry about Microsoft Surface Pro Laptop/Tablet Hybrid
Dear Sir or Madam,
We have learned about your company from an online business directory and are interested in your range of portable computer systems. In particular, we would like to receive detailed information about the Microsoft Surface Pro laptop/tablet hybrid.
Please send us your current price list, technical specifications, and details of your terms of payment and delivery. We would also appreciate it if you could indicate your shortest delivery time and possible quantity discounts for regular orders.
If your conditions are competitive, we will consider placing a trial order soon.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely, Kevin Neumann Trader Joe @ TradingEstimated