écrire une lettre
to write a letter
Use this phrase for any formal or personal written correspondence sent via mail or official channels.
15초 만에
- To compose a written message for someone.
- Used for both personal and professional correspondence.
- Requires the irregular verb 'écrire' conjugation.
뜻
This phrase describes the act of composing a message on paper or digitally to send to someone else. It is the standard way to talk about correspondence, whether it is a romantic note or a formal business document.
주요 예문
3 / 6Texting a friend to explain why you are busy
Désolé, j'écris une lettre à ma grand-mère.
Sorry, I am writing a letter to my grandmother.
Applying for a new job
Je dois écrire une lettre de motivation pour ce poste.
I have to write a cover letter for this position.
Complaining about a noisy neighbor
On va écrire une lettre au syndic.
We are going to write a letter to the building manager.
문화적 배경
France maintains a strong tradition of formal correspondence, especially in administration. The 'lettre recommandée' (registered letter) is a legal staple for canceling contracts or official disputes. Despite the rise of digital tech, the French postal service (La Poste) remains a central part of daily life and national identity.
The 'Draft' Secret
If you want to sound more sophisticated, use the verb 'rédiger' instead of 'écrire'. It implies you are putting real thought into the structure.
The Email Trap
While you can technically say 'écrire une lettre' for a long email, it's safer to say 'écrire un mail' to avoid sounding like you're from the 1900s.
15초 만에
- To compose a written message for someone.
- Used for both personal and professional correspondence.
- Requires the irregular verb 'écrire' conjugation.
What It Means
Écrire une lettre is as straightforward as it gets. It means to write a letter. In French, this covers everything from a quick handwritten note to a formal typed document. It is the bread and butter of communication. You are taking your thoughts and putting them into a structured format for someone else to read later. Even in our digital age, this phrase remains a staple of the French vocabulary.
How To Use It
You will need to conjugate the irregular verb écrire. For example, j'écris (I write) or nous écrivons (we write). It is a simple transitive structure: [Subject] + [Conjugated Verb] + une lettre. If you want to say who you are writing to, just add à followed by the person. J'écris une lettre à mon ami. It is like building with LEGO blocks; simple and satisfying.
When To Use It
Use this when you are actually sitting down to write. It is perfect for telling a friend why you are busy. "I can't go out, I'm writing a letter to my landlord." It is also the go-to phrase for formal requirements. In France, you will often be asked to écrire une lettre de motivation (write a cover letter) for a job. It is used in schools, offices, and at home. If there is a pen and paper involved, this is your phrase.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for a quick text message. For that, use envoyer un SMS or envoyer un texto. While you might technically "write" an email, the French usually prefer écrire un e-mail or envoyer un courriel. Using lettre for a two-sentence email might make you sound like you are living in the 18th century. Also, do not confuse it with écrire un mot, which is for a very short, informal note left on a fridge.
Cultural Background
France has a deep, almost sacred relationship with the written word. Formal letters in France are famous for their complexity. You cannot just end a letter with "Best, Pierre." You often have to use a formule de politesse. This is a long, flowery sentence like "Please accept, Sir, the expression of my distinguished sentiments." It sounds like a poem, but it is just how you say goodbye to your bank manager. The French still value the physical courrier (mail) more than many other cultures.
Common Variations
You might hear rédiger une lettre. This is a bit more formal and implies the act of composing or drafting carefully. If you are writing a cover letter for a job, it is always a lettre de motivation. If you are writing to a pen pal, you are writing to a correspondant. If you are just scribbling something quickly, you might say you are gratter quelques mots (scratching out a few words), which is a fun, informal way to put it.
사용 참고사항
This phrase is neutral and can be used in any context. The formality of the situation is determined by the words used *within* the letter, not the phrase itself.
The 'Draft' Secret
If you want to sound more sophisticated, use the verb 'rédiger' instead of 'écrire'. It implies you are putting real thought into the structure.
The Email Trap
While you can technically say 'écrire une lettre' for a long email, it's safer to say 'écrire un mail' to avoid sounding like you're from the 1900s.
The Sign-off Rule
In France, the way you end a letter is a social minefield. Always check the 'formule de politesse' before hitting send on a formal letter!
예시
6Désolé, j'écris une lettre à ma grand-mère.
Sorry, I am writing a letter to my grandmother.
A very common, sweet everyday use of the phrase.
Je dois écrire une lettre de motivation pour ce poste.
I have to write a cover letter for this position.
The term 'lettre de motivation' is the standard for job applications.
On va écrire une lettre au syndic.
We are going to write a letter to the building manager.
Used here for a formal complaint or administrative action.
J'écris une lettre au Père Noël !
I am writing a letter to Santa Claus!
A classic childhood scenario in France.
Il lui a écrit une lettre d'amour magnifique.
He wrote her a magnificent love letter.
Shows the phrase used in a romantic, emotional context.
Peux-tu m'aider à écrire cette lettre ?
Can you help me write this letter?
A simple request for assistance with writing.
셀프 테스트
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'écrire'.
Nous ___ une lettre de remerciement.
For 'nous' (we), the correct conjugation of 'écrire' is 'écrivons'.
Choose the correct noun to complete the phrase.
Elle veut écrire une ___ à son ami.
You write a 'lettre' (letter), not a 'stylo' (pen) or 'papier' (paper).
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of Writing in French
Leaving a quick note on the table.
écrire un mot
Sending a letter to a friend or relative.
écrire une lettre
Drafting an official document or job application.
rédiger une lettre
When to use 'écrire une lettre'
Job Hunting
Lettre de motivation
Romance
Lettre d'amour
Administration
Lettre de réclamation
Family
Lettre à ses parents
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, it's irregular. You need to learn its specific forms, like j'écris, nous écrivons, and ils écrivent.
Usually, people say écrire un mail. However, if the email is very long and formal, you might call it a lettre.
It is the French term for a cover letter. You send it with your CV when applying for a job.
You say Je vous écris (formal) or Je t'écris (informal). The pronoun goes before the verb.
A lettre is usually in an envelope, while a carte postale is a postcard without one.
Yes, especially for administrative tasks. The French love paper trails and official stamps!
You can start with Cher [Name] for a man or Chère [Name] for a woman.
It means 'to draft' or 'to compose'. It is a more formal version of écrire.
It's more natural to say écrire un mot for a short, informal note.
It is a registered letter. It provides legal proof that the person received it.
관련 표현
rédiger un message
envoyer un courrier
une lettre de motivation
répondre à une lettre
poster une lettre
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