Writing guide
Writing to a pen pal in Nigeria
✍️ 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
- Hello
- Opening a letter
- Dear …,
- Thank you for your letter
- Thank you for your letter.
- Signing off
- Best wishes,
🕰 What time it is there
It is 13:04 in Nigeria 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 Nigeria, in numbers
Counts only, and only once at least 3 members share an answer.
- English 155
- Yoruba 27
- French 4
- German 4
- Afrikaans 3
- French 39
- Korean 31
- Spanish 25
- Chinese (Mandarin) 17
- Japanese 14
- Music 76
- Movies 75
- Fashion 66
- Learning languages 50
- Cooking 49
- Dancing 48
- Animals 43
- Books 43
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 Nigeria 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?
What time does school (or work) start where you live?