Personal correspondence

A personal letter is more cordial than a business letter. The lay-out of a personal letter is a bit different as well. The sender’s address is placed in the top right-hand corner, above the date.

You usually greet your friend Dear/Dearest and his or her first name, which is often written by hand in a typewritten letter. You may ask the addressee to pass on to others, for example „Please remember me to your wife“, „Please give your parents my kindest regards“, „Please pass my best wishes on to your family“ or „My wife wishes/asks to be remembered“.

We end an informal letter with „Best wishes“, „With my best wishes. Women often end a letter or postcard with „Love“.

The envelope of a personal letter is similar to one of a business letter, but the return address is on the back of the envelope.

Short messages or greetings can be sent by a postcard without an envelope.