When it comes to email writing in German for business purposes, maintaining a professional and structured approach is essential. A well-written business email should be clear, polite, and to the point. Here’s how you can structure a business email in German:
1. Subject Line (Betreffzeile)
The subject line should be concise and relevant. Here are some examples:
"Anfrage bezüglich unseres Meetings am 15. März" (Inquiry regarding our meeting on March 15)
"Bewerbung als Marketing Manager – [Ihr Name]" (Application for Marketing Manager – [Your Name])
A clear subject line ensures that your email is read and taken seriously.
2. Formal Greeting (Anrede)
In email writing in German, greetings vary depending on the formality:
"Sehr geehrter Herr Schmidt," (Dear Mr. Schmidt,)
"Sehr geehrte Frau Meier," (Dear Ms. Meier,)
"Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren," (Dear Sir or Madam,) – if you don’t know the recipient’s name
Avoid using casual greetings like "Hallo" or "Hey" in business emails.
3. Opening Line
The first line should be polite and professional. Some common phrases include:
"Ich hoffe, diese E-Mail erreicht Sie wohlbehalten." (I hope this email finds you well.)
"Vielen Dank für Ihre schnelle Rückmeldung." (Thank you for your quick response.)
4. Main Content (Hauptteil)
This section should be direct and informative. For example:
"Ich schreibe Ihnen bezüglich unserer Geschäftskooperation und würde mich freuen, mehr Details zu besprechen." (I am writing to you regarding our business cooperation and would be happy to discuss more details.)
"Bitte lassen Sie mich wissen, wann Sie verfügbar sind, um unser Meeting zu bestätigen." (Please let me know when you are available to confirm our meeting.)
5. Closing Statement (Abschluss)
To end your email politely, you can use:
"Ich freue mich auf Ihre Antwort." (I look forward to your response.)
"Vielen Dank für Ihre Zeit und Unterstützung." (Thank you for your time and support.)
6. Formal Sign-Off (Verabschiedung)
Professional closings in email writing in German include:
"Mit freundlichen Grüßen," (Best regards,)
"Mit besten Grüßen," (With best regards,)
By following this structure, your email writing in German will be clear, professional, and effective in a business context.