# How to write a letter or email in Esperanto

Source: https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/letters-email/
Language: en
Updated: 2026-10-11

> Date a letter ĵaŭdon la 8-an de Oktobro 2026, open with Kara or Estimata, close with Amike. Set phrases, email words and three model letters.

An Esperanto letter has the usual parts: a dated heading, a greeting, the message, a closing and your name. Open with ***Kara…*** (KA-ra) "dear" to a friend or ***Estimata…*** (es-ti-MA-ta) "esteemed" in a formal letter, and close with ***Amike*** (a-MI-ke) or ***Kun amikaj salutoj*** (kun a-MI-kaj sa-LU-toj). The date looks like *la 8-an de Oktobro 2026*, with a capital letter for the month. Email follows the same pattern with a few extra words. In pronunciation guides the stressed syllable is in capitals; it is always the second-to-last.

## The parts of a letter

| Part | Esperanto | English |
|---|---|---|
| Place and date | *Parizo, ĵaŭdon la 8-an de Oktobro 2026* | Paris, Thursday 8 October 2026 |
| Greeting | *Kara Maria,* | Dear Maria, |
| Opening line | *Dankon pro via letero.* | Thank you for your letter. |
| Closing | *Amike,* | Yours, (literally "in a friendly way") |
| Signature | *Petro* | Peter |

For the date, PMEG gives the usual letter pattern as weekday and day, both with the [accusative](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/accusative/) *-n*: *merkredon la 26-an de Novembro 1997*. The weekday can be dropped (*la 8-an de Oktobro 2026*), and you may put your town first, as in the model letters below. Month names are proper names, so PMEG recommends a capital (*Oktobro*) and never *la* before them. It also advises against all-number dates such as 9.3.01, which countries read differently, and prefers the month as a word or abbreviation (*8 Okt. 2026*); the ISO form 2026-10-08 is recommended in principle, though not everyone knows it. More in [days and months](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/days-months/).

## Greetings: from formal to warm

| Esperanto | English | Use |
|---|---|---|
| *Estimataj gesinjoroj,* | Dear ladies and gentlemen, | A company, a committee, an unknown reader |
| *Estimata sinjoro Novak,* | Dear Mr Novak, | Formal, named man |
| *Estimata sinjorino Novak,* | Dear Ms Novak, | Formal, named woman |
| *Estimataj samideanoj!* | Dear fellow Esperantists! | An Esperanto group |
| *Kara Maria,* | Dear Maria, | A friend or relative |
| *Kara amiko,* / *Kara amikino,* | Dear friend, | Male / female friend |
| *Karaj geamikoj!* | Dear friends! | A mixed group |
| *Saluton, Maria!* | Hello, Maria! | Informal, especially email |

ReVo notes that *kara* is often used to address someone, above all at the start of a letter. *Estimata* is the participle of *estimi* "to hold in high regard". PMEG says an address is separated by a comma or stands as its own sentence, and that you never put *la* before it: *Estimata prezidanto…* David Jordan adds that the exclamation mark is the more usual ending, and the comma less common.

## Titles and "you"

| Esperanto | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| *sinjoro*, *s-ro* | Mr, sir | ReVo gives *s-ro* as the abbreviation |
| *sinjorino*, *s-ino* | Ms, Mrs, madam | ReVo gives *s-ino* |
| *gesinjoroj* | Mr and Mrs; ladies and gentlemen | Both sexes together |
| *doktoro*, *d-ro* | doctor | An academic degree (ReVo) |
| *vi* | you | One person or many, friend or stranger |

Titles stand before the surname without *la*: *sinjoro Novak*. There is no formal "you" ([pronouns](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/pronouns/)), so respect comes from the greeting, the closing and polite requests ([polite phrases](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/thanks-and-politeness/)).

## Opening lines and requests

| Esperanto | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| *Dankon pro via letero.* | Thank you for your letter. | Replying |
| *Via letero ĝojigis min.* | Your letter made me glad. | Friendly, with *-n* on the object |
| *Mi skribas al vi por demandi pri la kurso.* | I am writing to ask about the course. | *por* + infinitive = purpose (PMEG) |
| *Mi esperas, ke vi fartas bone.* | I hope you are well. | *ke* clause |
| *Pardonu pro la malfrua respondo.* | Sorry for the late reply. | Apology |
| *Ĉu vi povus sendi al mi la horaron?* | Could you send me the timetable? | Polite request (PMEG) |
| *Bonvolu respondi antaŭ la 20-a de Oktobro.* | Please reply before 20 October. | *bonvolu* + infinitive |
| *Mi atendas vian respondon.* | I look forward to your reply. | Literally "I await your answer" |
| *Antaŭdankon pro via helpo.* | Thanks in advance for your help. | Before the closing |
| *Mi pardonpetas pro la eraro.* | I apologise for the mistake. | Formal |
| *Mi bedaŭras, ke mi ne povos veni.* | I am sorry that I will not be able to come. | Declining |

## Closings

| Esperanto | English | Use |
|---|---|---|
| *Sincere via,* | Yours sincerely, | Formal |
| *Salutas,* + name | Greetings (literally "[name] greets") | Formal (Jordan) |
| *Kun afablaj salutoj,* | Kind regards, | Polite, formal or semi-formal |
| *Kun amikaj salutoj,* | With friendly greetings, | Friendly |
| *Kun koraj salutoj,* | With warm greetings, | Warm |
| *Elkore salutas,* | Cordially, | Informal (Jordan) |
| *Amike,* | Yours, | A friend; literally "in a friendly way" |
| *Kore,* | Cordially, | A friend; from *koro* "heart" |
| *Ĝis baldaŭ!* / *Ĉion bonan!* | See you soon! / All the best! | Friendly sign-offs |
| *Kun amo,* | With love, | Family and partners |

Jordan explains that a closing is technically a sentence with the signer as its subject: *Elkore salutas* plus your name means "(name) greets you warmly". Vikipedio's list of closings also has *Brakume* "with a hug" and *Ame* "lovingly".

## Why *Bonan tagon!* has -n but *Kara Maria* has none

Greetings and wishes are shortened sentences. PMEG shows that *Bonan matenon!* stands for *Mi deziras al vi bonan matenon!*; the [accusative](https://esperantopedia.org/grammar/accusative/) *-n* stayed after the verb disappeared.

| Esperanto | English | Possible full sentence |
|---|---|---|
| *Bonan tagon!* | Good day! | *(Mi deziras al vi)* bonan tagon |
| *Koran dankon!* | Heartfelt thanks! | *(Mi donas al vi)* koran dankon |
| *Multajn salutojn!* | Many greetings! | *(Mi sendas)* multajn salutojn |
| *Salutojn al via familio!* | Greetings to your family! | *(Mi sendas)* salutojn al via familio |
| *Ĉion bonan al vi kaj via familio!* | All the best to you and your family! | *(Mi deziras)* ĉion bonan al vi kaj via familio (PMEG) |

No *-n* follows *kun* or *ĝis* (*kun koraj salutoj*, *ĝis baldaŭ*), and none belongs in the address itself: PMEG says an address always has no role marker, so write *Kara Maria*, never *Karan Marian*. See the [greetings](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/greetings/) page for the same rule in speech.

## Writing an email

Email is *retpoŝto*, also *retletero*, *retmesaĝo* or *e-poŝto* (Vikipedio). More words are on the [technology and internet](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/technology-internet/) page.

| Esperanto | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| *retpoŝta adreso* | email address | *maria@ekzemplo.org* is read *maria ĉe ekzemplo punkto org* |
| *ĉe* | @ | The symbol is also called *heliko* "snail" |
| *sendinto* / *adresato* | sender / addressee | |
| *Temo:* | Subject: | Vikipedio also calls the field *afero* |
| *kopio* | copy (CC) | Blind copy (BCC) is *nevidebla kopio* |
| *aldonaĵo*, *kunsendaĵo* | attachment | ReVo defines *kunsendaĵo* as a file sent with an email |
| *Re:* | Re: | Used in Esperanto subject lines too |
| *respondi*, *respondi al ĉiuj* | reply, reply all | |
| *plusendi* | forward | A forwarded message is *plusendita mesaĝo* |

If a recipient's program cannot show ĉ, ĝ, ĥ, ĵ, ŝ and ŭ, write them with the [x-system](https://esperantopedia.org/learn/alphabet/) (*cx*, *gx*). On paper, an envelope needs *adreso*, *strato* "street", *poŝtkodo* "postcode", *urbo* "town" and *lando* "country", with a *poŝtmarko* "stamp" on the *koverto*.

## Three model letters

### A formal letter to an organisation

| Esperanto | English |
|---|---|
| *Varsovio, ĵaŭdon la 8-an de Oktobro 2026* | Warsaw, Thursday 8 October 2026 |
| *Al la estraro de la Esperanto-Societo* | To the board of the Esperanto Society |
| *Estimataj gesinjoroj,* | Dear ladies and gentlemen, |
| *Mi skribas al vi por peti vian helpon. Mi instruas lingvojn en mezlernejo kaj ŝatus prezenti Esperanton al miaj lernantoj en Novembro.* | I am writing to ask for your help. I teach languages at a secondary school and would like to introduce Esperanto to my students in November. |
| *Ĉu iu el viaj membroj povus viziti nian klason dum unu horo?* | Could one of your members visit our class for one hour? |
| *Mi atendas vian respondon antaŭ la fino de Oktobro. Antaŭdankon pro via helpo.* | I look forward to your reply before the end of October. Thanks in advance for your help. |
| *Kun afablaj salutoj,* | Kind regards, |
| *Maria Novak* | Maria Novak |

### A personal letter to a friend

| Esperanto | English |
|---|---|
| *Parizo, la 8-an de Oktobro 2026* | Paris, 8 October 2026 |
| *Kara Petro,* | Dear Peter, |
| *Dankon pro via letero! Ĝi ĝojigis min, ĉar mi atendis novaĵojn de vi dum longa tempo. Pardonu pro la malfrua respondo: mi havis multe da laboro. Ĉi tie ĉio iras bone.* | Thank you for your letter! It made me glad, because I had been waiting for news from you for a long time. Sorry for the late reply: I had a lot of work. Everything is going well here. |
| *Bona novaĵo: en Decembro mi vizitos vin! Ĉu vi havos tempon por renkonti min?* | Good news: in December I will visit you! Will you have time to meet me? |
| *Salutojn al via familio! Ĝis baldaŭ!* | Greetings to your family! See you soon! |
| *Amike,* | Yours, |
| *Elena* | Elena |

### An email asking for information

| Esperanto | English |
|---|---|
| *Temo: Demando pri la renkontiĝo en Marto* | Subject: Question about the meeting in March |
| *Estimata sinjoro Hansen,* | Dear Mr Hansen, |
| *Mi ŝatus aliĝi al via renkontiĝo en Marto. Ĉu vi povus sendi al mi informojn pri la prezo kaj la loĝejo? La plenigita aliĝilo estas en la aldonaĵo.* | I would like to register for your meeting in March. Could you send me information about the price and the accommodation? The completed registration form is in the attachment. |
| *Antaŭdankon pro via respondo.* | Thanks in advance for your reply. |
| *Kun amikaj salutoj,* | With friendly greetings, |
| *Anna Berg* | Anna Berg |

For first words and short messages, see [basic phrases](https://esperantopedia.org/phrases/basic/).

## Common questions

### How do you end a letter in Esperanto?

With a closing line and your name: *Kun amikaj salutoj* or *Amike* to friends, *Sincere via* or *Kun afablaj salutoj* in formal letters. Jordan says the simplest closing is *Salutas* or *Elkore salutas* before your signature.

### How do you start a formal letter in Esperanto?

With *Estimata sinjoro Novak,* or *Estimata sinjorino Novak,* to a named person, and *Estimataj gesinjoroj,* when you do not know the reader. Do not put *la* before the title.

### How do you write the date in an Esperanto letter?

As *la 8-an de Oktobro 2026*: the day as an ordinal, then *de* and the month with a capital. PMEG's letter pattern adds the weekday, both with *-n*: *ĵaŭdon la 8-an de Oktobro 2026*.

### How do you say email address, subject and attachment in Esperanto?

*Retpoŝta adreso*, *temo* and *aldonaĵo* (also *kunsendaĵo*). The @ sign is read *ĉe*, so *maria@ekzemplo.org* is *maria ĉe ekzemplo punkto org*.

### Is it Kara Maria or Karan Marian?

*Kara Maria.* A greeting is an address, and PMEG says an address takes no role marker, so there is no *-n*. Fixed wishes such as *Bonan tagon!* do end in *-n*.

## Sources

- [PMEG: Datoj – how a date is written at the start of a letter](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/nombroj/datoj.html)
- [PMEG: Alvoko – addressing someone, no *la* before an address](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/rolmontriloj/sen/alvoko.html)
- [PMEG: Mallongigitaj frazoj – Bonan matenon!, Saluton!, Dankon!, Ĉion bonan al vi kaj via familio!](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/frazospecoj/mallongigitaj_frazoj.html)
- [PMEG: Fraztipoj kaj frazfunkcioj – Ĉu vi povus…?, Mi pardonpetas](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/frazospecoj/fraztipoj_frazfunkcioj.html)
- [PMEG: I-verboj kun rolvortetoj – por + infinitive](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/i-verboj/kun_rolvortetoj.html)
- [PMEG: Majuskloj ĉe propraj nomoj – month names](https://bertilow.com/pmeg/gramatiko/propraj_nomoj/majuskloj.html)
- ReVo: [kara](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/kar.html), [estimi](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/estim.html), [sinjoro, sinjorino](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/sinjor.html), [doktoro](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/doktor.html), [letero](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/leter.html), [adreso](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/adres.html), [temo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/tem.html), [kunsendaĵo](https://reta-vortaro.de/revo/art/send.html)
- Vikipedio: [Retpoŝto](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retpo%C5%9Dto), [Adiaŭo](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adia%C5%ADo), [Listo de mallongigoj en retletera temo](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listo_de_mallongigoj_en_retletera_temo)
- David K. Jordan, [Being Colloquial in Esperanto: Writing Letters](https://pages.ucsd.edu/~dkjordan/eo/colloq/colloq150.html)
- Wiktionary: [amike](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/amike), [kore](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/kore)
- Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR), used to check that these phrases occur in real sentences: #630293, #1069767, #2503769, #2051593, #9622140, #4827819, #1554154, #554050, #4452080, #507094, #10324050 ([example](https://tatoeba.org/en/sentences/show/507094))