Writing guide
Writing to a pen pal in France
✍️ A few words to start and end with
Nobody expects a whole letter in their language. A greeting and a sign-off in it says you thought about who is reading — and gives them something to correct, which is a fine way to start a friendship.
- Hello
- Bonjour
- Opening a letter
- Cher / Chère …,
- Thank you for your letter
- Merci pour ta lettre.
- Signing off
- Amitiés,
🕰 What time it is there
It is 01:21 in France right now. 🍂 autumn there
Mention the time of day or the season you are writing in. It is the detail that makes a letter feel sent from somewhere, and the one they are most likely to answer in kind.
🧭 Members in France, in numbers
Counts only, and only once at least 3 members share an answer.
- French 55
- English 32
- Spanish 5
- Italian 3
- English 24
- Spanish 20
- German 10
- Korean 7
- Japanese 6
- Music 36
- Books 23
- Movies 23
- Animals 20
- Learning languages 20
- Drawing 18
- Travel 17
- Culture 16
If you speak one of the languages they are learning, say so in your first letter — a pen pal who can help is a pen pal worth answering.
🌍 How France answered the world questions
Good openers: ask them about the one where they differ from everybody else.
What's a typical breakfast for you?
When is dinner at your home?