{"id":182338,"date":"2018-06-20T17:55:08","date_gmt":"2018-06-20T21:55:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/how-to-write-an-email-in-chinese\/"},"modified":"2025-01-28T09:14:21","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T14:14:21","slug":"how-to-write-an-email-in-chinese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/chinese\/how-to-write-an-email-in-chinese\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write an Email in Chinese: The Business-ready Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Emails are a form of formal communication<\/strong> in Chinese.\u00a0So if you find yourself in the position of needing to write an email in Chinese, this guide is for you.<\/p>\n

Check out this post to learn how to write an email in Chinese<\/strong>, be it for business<\/a> or another polite purpose.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Subject Line<\/h2>\n

Any business culture in the East or West appreciates brevity, clarity and politeness. So if your email is work-related, your subject line should take that into account.<\/p>\n

Similarly, even a subject line to a pen pal or other non-business entity is usually best if brief and clear.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u65b0\u94a2\u7b14\u9700\u6c42
\n(x\u012bn g\u0101ng b\u01d0 x\u016b qi\u00fa)
\n<\/em>Request for new pens<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> For the sake of learning and pronunciation, we’ll include pinyin in these instructions. Note that your final email should be solely composed of hanzi.<\/p>\n

2. Addressing and Greeting<\/h2>\n

Be sure to personally greet everyone who will be reading the email and include business-appropriate labels. If you don’t know the exact name of the person you’re emailing, the Chinese version of “to whom it may concern” (below) is perfectly acceptable.<\/p>\n

In many English-speaking cultures, a little bit of friendly informality is normal, but this isn’t so much the case in Chinese culture. When it comes to requests or bad news, it’s very common in Chinese business culture to apologize for inconvenience even if there is no substantial inconvenience.<\/p>\n

If you’re writing an email to a Chinese pen pal, on the other hand, then using informal (though still polite) language is a great way to make an emotional connection with a new friend.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u81f4\u76f8\u5173\u4eba\u58eb\uff1a
\n(zh\u00ec xi\u0101ng gu\u0101n r\u00e9n sh\u00ec:)
\n<\/em>To whom it may concern:<\/p>\n

\u5982\u6709\u4e0d\u4fbf\u4e4b\u5904\uff0c\u656c\u8bf7\u89c1\u8c05\u3002
\n(r\u00fa y\u01d2u b\u00fa bi\u00e0n zh\u012b ch\u00f9, j\u00ecng q\u01d0ng ji\u00e0n li\u00e0ng.)
\n<\/em>I apologize for any inconvenience, I kindly ask your forgiveness.<\/p>\n

Other Chinese Phrases:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Chinese<\/th>Pinyin<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u5c0a\u656c\u7684\u5148\u751f\/\u5973\u58eb<\/td>z\u016bn j\u00ecng de xi\u0101n sheng \/ n\u01da sh\u00ec<\/em><\/td>Dear Sir\/Madam<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5c0a\u656c\u7684__\u5148\u751f\/\u5973\u58eb<\/td>z\u016bn j\u00ecng de __ xi\u0101n sheng \/ n\u01da sh\u00ec<\/em><\/td>Dear Mr.\/Ms. __<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5f88\u9ad8\u5174\u6536\u5230\u4f60\u4eec\u7684\u6765\u4fe1\u3002<\/td>h\u011bn g\u0101o x\u00ecng sh\u014du d\u00e0o n\u01d0 men de l\u00e1i x\u00ecn.<\/em><\/td>Glad to receive your letter.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5f88\u957f\u65f6\u95f4\u6ca1\u4e0e\u4f60\u8054\u7cfb, \u8bf7\u539f\u8c05\uff01<\/td>h\u011bn ch\u00e1ng sh\u00ed ji\u0101n m\u00e9i y\u01d4 n\u01d0 li\u00e1n x\u00ec, q\u01d0ng yu\u00e1n li\u00e0ng!<\/em><\/td>Sorry for not getting in touch with you for so long.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

3. Body<\/h2>\n

The body of your email doesn’t need to be incredibly short, but it should be quick and to the point if you’re writing for business purposes. This is especially the case if you’re asking for something or your email is time-sensitive.<\/p>\n

Non-business emails can be a little longer, depending on the context, but it’s wise for the beginner to keep it brief to avoid too many mistakes that could leave the recipient scratching their head.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u8fd9\u662f214\u529e\u516c\u5ba4\u7684\u827e\u7c73\u4e3d\u3002
\n(zh\u00e8 sh\u00ec 214 b\u00e0n g\u014dng sh\u00ec de \u00e0i m\u01d0 l\u00ec.)
\n<\/em>This is Emily from office #214.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u8d22\u52a1\u90e8\u95e8\u9700\u8981\u4e00\u4e9b\u9ed1\u8272\u94a2\u7b14\u3002
\n(c\u00e1i w\u00f9 b\u00f9 m\u00e9n x\u016b y\u00e0o y\u00ec xi\u0113 h\u0113i s\u00e8 g\u0101ng b\u01d0.)
\n<\/em>The finance department is in need of some new black ink pens.<\/p>\n

\u8bf7\u95ee\u60a8\u80fd\u7ed9\u6211\u4eec\u5bc4500\u5305\u7b14\u5417\uff1f
\n(q\u01d0ng w\u00e8n n\u00edn n\u00e9ng g\u011bi w\u01d2 men j\u00ec 500 b\u0101o b\u01d0 ma?)
\n<\/em>Would you please send me 500 packages of pens?\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u8bf7\u5728\u65b9\u4fbf\u65f6\u5c3d\u65e9\u5c06\u5305\u88f9\u5bc4\u6765\u3002
\n(q\u01d0ng z\u00e0i f\u0101ng bi\u00e0n sh\u00ed j\u01d0n z\u01ceo ji\u0101ng b\u0101o gu\u01d2 j\u00ec l\u00e1i.)
\n<\/em>Please send us the package at your earliest convenience.<\/p>\n

Other Chinese Phrases:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Chinese<\/th>Pinyin<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u5408\u540c\u6587\u672c<\/td>h\u00e9 tong w\u00e9n b\u011bn<\/em><\/td>a copy of the contract<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5f88\u9ad8\u5174\u548c\u4f60\u4eec\u4fdd\u6301\u2026\u2026<\/td>h\u011bn g\u0101o x\u00ecng h\u00e9 n\u01d0 men b\u01ceo ch\u00ed...<\/em><\/td>It is always a pleasure to keep... with you. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u8bf7\u60a8\u4e0d\u5fc5\u5ba2\u6c14, \u5c3d\u7ba1\u4e0e\u6211\u4eec\u8054\u7cfb\u3002<\/td>q\u01d0ng n\u00edn b\u00fa b\u00ec k\u00e8 qi, j\u01d0n gu\u01cen y\u01d4 w\u01d2 men li\u00e1n x\u00ec.<\/em><\/td>Please do not hesitate to contact us.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u6211\u4eec\u5f88\u4e50\u610f\u540c\u60a8\u8fdb\u884c\u5408\u4f5c\u3002<\/td>w\u01d2 men h\u011bn l\u00e8 y\u00ec t\u00f3ng n\u00edn j\u00ecn x\u00edng h\u00e9 zu\u00f2.<\/em><\/td>We are happy to work together.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u6211\u4eec\u786e\u4fe1\u6211\u4eec\u7684\u8bf7\u6c42\u5c06\u2026\u2026<\/td>w\u01d2 men qu\u00e8 x\u00ecn w\u01d2 men de q\u01d0ng qi\u00fa ji\u0101ng\u2026<\/em><\/td>We trust our request will...<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u6211\u4eec\u5e0c\u671b\u60a8\u80fd\u2026\u2026<\/td>w\u01d2 men x\u012b w\u00e0ng n\u00edn n\u00e9ng\u2026<\/em><\/td>We hope that you will...<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u6211\u4eec\u5e0c\u671b\u63d0\u9192\u8d35\u65b9\u6ce8\u610f\u2026\u2026<\/td>w\u01d2 men x\u012b w\u00e0ng t\u00ed x\u01d0ng gu\u00ec f\u0101ng zh\u00f9 y\u00ec\u2026<\/em><\/td>We would like to call your attention to...<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u6709\u4efb\u4f55\u95ee\u9898, \u8bf7\u53ca\u65f6\u8054\u7cfb\u3002<\/td>y\u01d2u r\u00e8n h\u00e9 w\u00e8n t\u00ed, q\u01d0ng j\u00ed sh\u00ed li\u00e1n x\u00ec.<\/em><\/td>Please contact me in case you have any questions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u8be6\u7ec6\u8d44\u6599\u8bf7\u770b\u9644\u4ef6\u3002<\/td>xi\u00e1ng x\u00ec z\u012b li\u00e0o q\u01d0ng k\u00e0n f\u00f9 ji\u00e0n.<\/em><\/td>Please see enclosure for details.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5728\u6b64\u65b9\u9762\u5982\u679c\u80fd\u591f\u5f97\u5230\u60a8\u7684\u5408\u4f5c\u6211\u5c06\u975e\u5e38\u611f\u8c22\u3002<\/td>z\u00e0i c\u01d0 f\u0101ng mi\u00e0n r\u00fa gu\u01d2 n\u00e9ng g\u00f2u d\u00e9 d\u00e0o n\u00edn de h\u00e9 zu\u00f2 w\u01d2 ji\u0101ng f\u0113i ch\u00e1ng g\u01cen xi\u00e8.<\/em><\/td>Your kind cooperation in this respect is greatly appreciated.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u8bf7\u4ee3\u6211\u5411\u8d35\u516c\u53f8\u603b\u7ecf\u7406\u95ee\u5019\u3002<\/td>q\u01d0ng d\u00e0i w\u01d2 xi\u00e0ng gu\u00ec g\u014dng s\u012b z\u01d2ng j\u012bng l\u01d0 w\u00e8n h\u00f2u.<\/em><\/td>Please send my best regards to your GM!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u8bf7\u63a5\u53d7\u6211\u4eec\u8bda\u631a\u7684\u6b49\u610f\u3002<\/td>q\u01d0ng ji\u0113 sh\u00f2u w\u01d2 men ch\u00e9ng zh\u00ec de qi\u00e0n y\u00ec.<\/em><\/td>Please accept our sincere apologies.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5f97\u77e5\u2026\u2026, \u6211\u4eec\u611f\u5230\u5f88\u9057\u61be<\/td>d\u00e9 zh\u012b \u2026, w\u01d2 men g\u01cen d\u00e0o h\u011bn y\u00ed h\u00e0n<\/em><\/td>It is regretful to hear that...<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u6211\u4eec\u62b1\u6b49\u5730\u901a\u77e5\u60a8\u2026\u2026<\/td>w\u01d2 men b\u00e0o qi\u00e0n de t\u014dng zh\u012b n\u00edn\u2026<\/em><\/td>We are sorry to inform you that...<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

4. Closing<\/h2>\n

Always thank your readers thoroughly for reading your email. Again, politeness, modesty and humility are key to coming off as someone who cares about saving face. Not every email you send needs to end with an apology and a gratuitous thankful statement, but make it clear you care about them taking the time.<\/p>\n

Example:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u9ebb\u70e6\u60a8\u4e86\uff01
\n(m\u00e1 f\u00e1n n\u00edn le!)
\n<\/em>Sorry for the trouble!<\/p>\n

\u591a\u8c22\uff01
\n(du\u014d xi\u00e8!)
\n<\/em>Thanks a lot!<\/p>\n

Other Chinese Phrases:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Chinese<\/th>Pinyin<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u6211\u4eec\u4f1a\u5728\u6700\u77ed\u7684\u65f6\u95f4\u5185\u4e0e\u60a8\u8054\u7edc\u3002<\/td>w\u01d2 men hu\u00ec z\u00e0i zu\u00ec du\u01cen de sh\u00ed ji\u0101n n\u00e8i y\u01d4 n\u00edn li\u00e1n lu\u00f2.<\/em><\/td>We will contact you as soon as possible.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u656c\u8bf7\u67e5\u9605\u3002<\/td>j\u00ecng q\u01d0ng ch\u00e1 yu\u00e8.<\/em><\/td>Please consult.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u8bf7\u5c3d\u5feb\u56de\u590d\uff01<\/td>q\u01d0ng j\u01d0n ku\u00e0i hu\u00ed f\u00f9!<\/em><\/td>Please reply as soon as possible!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u671f\u5f85\u7740\u60a8\u7684\u590d\u97f3\u3002<\/td>q\u012b d\u00e0i zhe n\u00edn de f\u00f9 y\u012bn.<\/em><\/td>We look forward to your reply.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u8bf7\u4fdd\u6301\u8054\u7edc\u3002<\/td>q\u01d0ng b\u01ceo ch\u00ed li\u00e1n lu\u00f2.<\/em><\/td>Please stay in touch.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5982\u6709\u6d88\u606f, \u6211\u4eec\u4f1a\u63d0\u524d\u901a\u77e5\u4f60\u4eec\u3002<\/td>r\u00fa y\u01d2u xi\u0101o x\u012b, w\u01d2 men hu\u00ec t\u00ed qi\u00e1n t\u014dng zh\u012b n\u01d0 men.<\/em><\/td>We\u00a0will inform you if we have any news.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u591a\u8c22\u5408\u4f5c\uff01<\/td>du\u014d xi\u00e8 h\u00e9 zu\u00f2!<\/em><\/td>Thank you for your cooperation!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u795d\u5de5\u4f5c\u987a\u5229, \u751f\u6d3b\u5e78\u798f\uff01<\/td>zh\u00f9 g\u014dng zu\u00f2 sh\u00f9n l\u00ec, sh\u0113ng hu\u00f3 x\u00ecng f\u00fa!<\/em><\/td>We wish you a successful career and happy life!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u6b64\u81f4\u656c\u793c<\/td>c\u01d0 zh\u00ec j\u00ecng l\u01d0<\/em><\/td>Sincerely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u6211\u4eec\u9884\u795d\u60a8\u5728\u65b0\u7684\u4e00\u5e74\u91cc\u5c06\u66f4\u52a0\u8f89\u714c\u548c\u6210\u529f\u3002<\/td>w\u01d2 men y\u00f9 zh\u00f9 n\u00edn z\u00e0i x\u012bn de y\u00ec ni\u00e1n l\u01d0 ji\u0101ng g\u00e8ng ji\u0101 hu\u012b hu\u00e1ng h\u00e9 ch\u00e9ng g\u014dng.<\/em><\/td>We wish you a bright and successful New Year.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

5. Signature<\/h2>\n

Business card culture is very important in China and Japan, so your signature should include your contact information and relevant information. This is even so for non-business emails; you’ll look quite professional with a dense signature.<\/p>\n

Remember, your signature should be entirely in hanzi<\/em> except for the tail end of the email address. You can also write your name in English if you don’t have a Chinese translation of your name.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u827e\u7c73\u4e3d
\n(\u00e0i m\u01d0 l\u00ec)
\n<\/em>Emily<\/p>\n

\u8d22\u52a1\u4e13\u5bb6
\n(c\u00e1i w\u00f9 zhu\u0101n ji\u0101)
\n<\/em>Financial specialist<\/p>\n

\u897f\u732b\u5df71234\u53f7
\n(x\u012b m\u0101o xi\u00e0ng 1234 h\u00e0o)
\n<\/em>1234 West Cat Lane<\/p>\n

555-555-555<\/p>\n

\u827e\u7c73\u4e3d@sina.com
\n(\u00e0i m\u01d0 l\u00ec @sina.com)
\n<\/em>emily@sina.com<\/p>\n

What Do I Need to Write an Email in Chinese?<\/h2>\n