In this post, we’re learning how to write an informal email in European Portuguese. When speaking, there are always two main things to take into account:
- the level of formality between the participants
- whether the person is female or male
It’s even more so the case when writing in Portuguese. Keep in mind that many times the meaning doesn’t translate very well across languages. What sounds great or appropriate in your language may just sound awkward or wrong.
Formality Levels
Regarding formality levels, there are three of them to consider: informal, semi-formal and formal.
- Informal – This is the speech to use with people who are close to you, such as your friends, your other half or family members.
- Semi-formal – This is the speech to use with co-workers or someone older than you that you are acquainted with on some level.
- Formal – This is the speech used with strangers; work and business emails; and official correspondence.
Informal Letters or Emails
Firstly let’s look at the informal speech in writing emails in Portugal, this applies to speaking too. (semi-formal and formal).
Mainly it’s light and easygoing. You can write just like if you were talking to them face to face. Often including slang. Very simple sentences for starting and ending the email.
Openers:
- Olá – hello
- Oi – hi
- Olá + first name / Oi + first name
- “ois” or “alô” also meaning “hi” or “hiya” would be considered slang and very informal
Body of the email – some examples:
- “tudo bem?” (everything well?) / “então, tudo bem?” (so, is everything well?)
- “Espero que esteja tudo bem.” (I hope everything is well)
- “Como vão as coisas por aí?” (How are things there?)
- “Como estás? / Como estão?” (you are you / how are you – plural)
- “liguei-te no outro dia, mas devias estar ocupado (m) / ocupada (f)” (I called you the other day, but you must have been busy)
- “queres…?” (do you want…? / do you want to…?)
- “queria saber se….” (I would like to know if…)
- “quando é que vamos….” (when is it that we are going…)
- “queria desejar-te um feliz aniversário” (I wanted to wish you a happy birthday) alternative: “Queria dar-te os parabéns” (I wanted to congratulate you)
- “Parabéns!” (congratulations! – also used for happy birthday)
- queria pedir-te desculpas (I wanted to apologise to you)
Signing off:
- “Beijinhos” or just the abbreviation “bjs” (this is mostly between two females or between males and females)
- “beijo grande” / “enorme” / “um beijão” – “a big kiss” (usually used between family members or lovers)
- “Um abraço” – “a hug” – this one is usually favoured by males between each other instead of “beijo” – “kiss” although anyone can use it (I use this one often myself)
- “Tchau” (bye)
- “Até logo” (literally “until later” meaning “see you later”)
- “Até breve” (literally “until soon”, meaning “see you soon”)
- “Até amanhã” (see you tomorrow)
- “Até” + day of the week (see you + day of the week)
- “Até para a semana” or “Até para a semana que vem” (see you next week or the week that comes)
If you’d like to learn how to pronounce some of these sentences please watch my video bellow on how to write an informal email in Portuguese.