Generalites

[Corona]

I was using google translate and ended my letter with Kind regards and google made that Generalites, does that sound right?

[vero]

No not at all, very weird.

[Stella]

I’d probably put “cordialement”… I’ve seen it used by others to me… folk who do know me but we are not exactly friends…

with friends… amicalement…
dear friends… bisous/bises (I’ve seen both)
EDIT: je t’embrassés X should be Je t’embrasse !! (thanks Vero…)
… that comes along sometimes… such folk are very dear friends/family.

[Corona]

I thought so, not being great at languages, I stopped to question it.

[Stella]

there are doubtless a million and one ways of ending letters alternatively to “kind regards” and I don’t think one would get zapped for a wrong 'un… but I try to follow what French folk send me… all sorts of stuff…

[vero]

@Stella

je t’embrassés …

Je t’embrasse!

[Stella]

[Corona]

@vero

Je t’embrasse!

Sounds a bit over the top for our gardener

[vero]

Cordialement will do fine for him!
Or else go the whole hog and say ‘je vous prie, cher X, d’agréer l’expression de mes sentiments distingués’.

[Corona]

Crikey

[Stella]

@vero

‘je vous prie, cher X, d’agréer l’expression de mes sentiments distingués’.

that comes on bumpf from our Insurance and suchlike… local offices…

I think @Corona should give him a hug, if the garden is looking good

[Jane_Williamson]

I remain your faithful servant.
A load of UK bunkum.

[vero]

@Stella

I think @Corona should give him a hug,

But embrasser though it strictly speaking means to hug, is almost invariably taken as meaning to kiss, so maybe not

[Susannah]

I mostly use Bien cordialement for a little extra and Bien à vous for more relaxed and friendly.

Both result in very friendly replies, which is my intention. For more formal and austere communications I would use other terms.

[toryroo]

@Corona

was using google translate

Don’t, use deepl.com . You’ll get far better results.

[Stella]

@vero

But embrasser though it strictly speaking means to hug, is almost invariably taken as meaning to kiss, so maybe not

Good heavens… then I’ve been having folk wanting to kiss and/or hug me …
do I get a choice when we meet ???

[vero]

When you do la bise you embrasse, when you galoche or roule une pelle you also embrasse. It’s sometimes a good idea to be precise which

[Corona]

I am loving the replies.

[billybutcher]

@toryroo

Don’t, use deepl.com . You’ll get far better results.

It’s variable, most of the time Deepl has the edge but just occasionally Google seems to produce a better result, I often use both and cross-check. These days they are both based on AI language models.

As it happens I thought it might be a good question for ChatGPT - and it seems to produce quite a useful response.

Q: how do I sign off a letter to an acquaintance in French?

ChatGPT

When signing off a letter to an acquaintance in French, there are a few common options you can choose from depending on the level of formality you want to convey. Here are a few possibilities:

1. “Cordialement” - This is a polite and commonly used closing that can be translated as “Kind regards” or “Sincerely.” It’s appropriate for most situations.
2. “Bien à vous” - This closing is a bit more formal and can be translated as “Yours truly” or “Yours sincerely.” It’s suitable for business correspondence or when you want to maintain a certain level of professionalism.
3. “Amicalement” - If you have a closer relationship with the recipient and want to convey a friendly tone, you can use this closing, which translates to “Warm regards” or “With friendship.”
4. “Je vous prie d’agréer, [name], l’expression de mes sentiments distingués” - This is a very formal closing often used in professional or formal letters. It can be translated as “Please accept, [name], the expression of my distinguished sentiments” or “Yours faithfully.”

Remember to adjust the closing based on your specific relationship with the recipient and the level of formality you wish to convey.

[Stella]

One closure often used in my past life…

“Assuring you of our best attention at all times…”
which I would think is a fair option for

@billybutcher

Please accept, [name], the expression of my distinguished sentiments”

thank heavens all that is far behind me… hugs and kisses is much more fun