Key takeaways
- Spanish letters open with a salutation (Estimado/a for formal, Querido/a for informal) and close with a set closing phrase before the signature.
- The date in Spanish letters is written as day + de + month + de + year: 13 de julio de 2026.
- Formal and business letters use usted and its verb forms; informal letters use tú.
- Subject lines in business letters are introduced with Asunto: (Subject:) before the body of the letter.
- The closing phrase in Spanish is more elaborate than in English: ending with un cordial saludo or atentamente rather than simply Regards.
Writing a letter in Spanish follows conventions that differ enough from English to cause real confusion if you apply English patterns directly. The salutation, date format, subject line, opening sentence, and closing phrase all follow specific Spanish conventions that vary by formality level.
This guide covers the full structure of formal, informal, and business letters in Spanish with example phrases, complete template formats, vocabulary for common letter purposes, and the key differences between Spanish and English letter conventions.
italki connects you with Spanish teachers online who review your written Spanish, correct errors in register and tone, and help you develop the confidence to write in Spanish for real purposes.
Find your perfect teacher
Build real speaking confidence with personalized lessons from a teacher who matches your goals, schedule, and learning style.
Book a trial lesson
Date format in Spanish
| English format | Spanish format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| July 13, 2026 | 13 de julio de 2026 | Madrid, 13 de julio de 2026 |
| 2026-07-13 | 13/07/2026 | 13/07/2026 |
Salutations by formality level
| Type | Spanish salutation | English equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Formal | Estimado/a Sr./Sra. [Apellido]: | Dear Mr./Ms. [Surname]: |
| Formal (unknown recipient) | A quien corresponda: | To whom it may concern: |
| Formal (title known) | Estimado/a Dr./Dra. [Apellido]: | Dear Dr. [Surname]: |
| Business | Estimado/a [Nombre]: | Dear [First name]: |
| Semi-formal | Apreciado/a [Nombre]: | Dear [Name]: |
| Informal | Querido/a [Nombre]: | Dear [Name]: |
| Very informal | Hola [Nombre]: | Hi [Name]: |
Find your perfect teacher
Build real speaking confidence with personalized lessons from a teacher who matches your goals, schedule, and learning style.
Book a trial lesson
Useful opening phrases for formal letters
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Me dirijo a usted para informarle que… | I am writing to inform you that… |
| Por medio de la presente, le comunico que… | By means of this letter, I inform you that… |
| En respuesta a su carta del [date]… | In response to your letter of [date]… |
| Me es grato comunicarle que… | I am pleased to inform you that… |
| Lamentablemente, debo informarle que… | Regrettably, I must inform you that… |
Formal openings require a specific register that feels unnatural in conversation. Practise formal letter openings with a Spanish tutor by writing a short letter and having it reviewed in a conversation lesson.
Common business letter phrases
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Adjunto encontrará… | Please find attached… |
| Le informamos que… | We inform you that… |
| En relación con… | Regarding / In relation to… |
| Nos ponemos en contacto con usted para… | We are contacting you to… |
| Le agradecemos su interés en… | We thank you for your interest in… |
| Quedamos a su disposición. | We remain at your disposal. |
For business letter writing, the guide to essential Spanish verbs covers the high-frequency verbs used in formal written Spanish.
Book online Spanish lessons with a native speaker specializing in business to practise these phrases in realistic correspondence scenarios.
Find your perfect teacher
Build real speaking confidence with personalized lessons from a teacher who matches your goals, schedule, and learning style.
Book a trial lesson
Common informal letter phrases
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Te escribo para contarte que… | I am writing to tell you that… |
| ¿Cómo van las cosas por allá? | How are things going over there? |
| Hace tiempo que no sé nada de ti. | I have not heard from you in a long time. |
| Me alegra mucho saber de ti. | It is great to hear from you. |
| Te echo de menos. | I miss you. |
| Cuídate mucho. | Take good care of yourself. |
| Escríbeme pronto. | Write back soon. |
Closing phrases by formality level
| Type | Spanish closing | English equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Very formal | Atentamente, | Sincerely / Yours faithfully, |
| Formal | Un cordial saludo, | Kind regards, |
| Business | En espera de su respuesta, | Awaiting your reply, |
| Semi-formal | Con un cordial saludo, | With kind regards, |
| Informal | Un abrazo, | A hug, / Love, |
| Very informal | Besos, / Hasta pronto, | Kisses, / See you soon, |
Working through your own real writing with a native Spanish speaker produces the most natural results. Book a trial lesson on italki and get immediate feedback on tone and phrasing you can use right away.
Find your perfect teacher
Build real speaking confidence with personalized lessons from a teacher who matches your goals, schedule, and learning style.
Book a trial lesson
FAQ
Do Spanish letters use a colon or a comma after the salutation?
Formal and business letters in Spanish use a colon (:) after the salutation: Estimado Sr. Martínez: Informal letters may use a comma: Querida Ana, This is opposite to English convention.
Should I use usted or tú in a semi-formal letter?
When in doubt in Spanish correspondence, default to usted. Using usted when tú would have been acceptable is never offensive. Using tú when usted is expected can seem presumptuous or disrespectful.
What is the difference between Atentamente and Un cordial saludo?
Atentamente is more traditional and often seen in official or government correspondence. Un cordial saludo is slightly warmer and more common in contemporary business emails and letters. Both are correct in formal contexts.
Want to learn a language at italki?
Here are the best resources for you!
