The Letter Writing Cheat Sheet: Formal vs. Informal German Salutations

If you are preparing for the writing module (Schreiben) of your A1, A2, or B1 exam, you are probably spending a lot of time practicing sentences. But here is an insider secret from our Exams prep coach: You can lose major points before you even write your first actual sentence.

German letter writing is highly structured, and the examiners look at your layout first. The absolute foundation of a high-scoring letter is choosing the correct Anrede (salutation) and matching it with the right Grußformel (sign-off).

Here is your ultimate, ready-to-copy cheat sheet for mastering formal versus informal letters.

The #1 Formatting Rule (The Comma Trap)

In German, the punctuation dictates the grammar. If you put a comma after your salutation, the first word of your letter must start with a lowercase letter (unless it's a noun).

Lieber John,
ich hoffe, es geht dir gut.

Failing to do this is the most common mistake made by beginners, and it is an instant point-deduction.

1. The Formal Letter (Formeller Brief)

Use this when writing to a landlord, an office (Amt), a boss, a customer service department, or a stranger.

The Salutations (Anrede)

• If you don't know the name of the person:

  • Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, (Dear Sir/Madam — literal: "Very honored ladies and gentlemen")

• If you do know the name:

  • Sehr geehrte Frau [Müller], (Dear Ms. Müller)
  • Sehr geehrter Herr [Schmidt], (Dear Mr. Schmidt — Note the -er ending on geehrter for masculine names!)

The Pronouns to Use

You must use the formal Sie and Ihnen. In formal letters, these pronouns and their possessives must always be capitalized.

• können Sie mir helfen? (can you help me?)
• Wie ist Ihre Telefonnummer? (What is your phone number?)

The Sign-Off (Grußformel)

• Mit freundlichen Grüßen (With friendly greetings)
• The Rule: Never put a comma after the sign-off! Just go to the next line and write your first and last name.

2. The Informal Letter (Informeller Brief)

Use this when writing to a friend, a classmate, a colleague you are close with, or a family member.

The Salutations (Anrede)

• To a female friend:
  • Liebe [Alba], (Dear Alba)
• To a male friend:
  • Lieber [Liam], (Dear Liam — Note the -er ending!)
• To a group of friends:
  • Hallo zusammen, or Liebe Freunde,

The Pronouns to Use

Use the informal du (singular) or ihr (plural). Unlike formal letters, these do not need to be capitalized today.

• Wie geht es dir? (How are you?)
• Habt ihr am Samstag Zeit? (Do you guys have time on Saturday?)

The Sign-Off (Grußformel)

• Viele Grüße (Many greetings)
• Liebe Grüße (Lots of love / Warm regards)
• The Rule: Again, no comma after the sign-off. Just write your first name on the next line.

Quick Reference Comparison

Have you ever written a formal letter in German? Did you remember to start the first sentence with a lowercase letter? Log in and let us know your exam writing worries in the comments below!