电子邮件是办公室日常工作中不可缺少的一部分,我们每天都会发邮件,而且会发好几封甚至更多。但你真的会正确地写邮件吗?从格式、结构,到语气、表达,其实有很多需要调整和改进的地方。这一期咱们就来系统地学习一下英文电子邮件的写法,对改进中文邮件的写作也同样有效哦!

1. I am writing to

商务电子邮件其实就像一个汉堡包,它由3个部分构成:导语(Introduction)+正文(Body)+结束语(Closing)。

I am writing to通常出现在邮件正文的第一句,它是用来说明邮件目的最简洁的方式,毕竟,在商务电子邮件中,简洁明了是最好的美德。

当你想请求别人帮助时,你可以这么说:

I am writing to request a favor / I am writing to ask for advice.

来看个例子:

Hi Harry,

I am writing to ask for advice, could you give me your opinion on whether we should proceed with the project we discussed yesterday?

Regards,

Tom

(你好,哈里!我想寻求你的建议,关于昨天我们讨论的项目,你觉得还有继续进行的必要么?祝好!汤姆)

2. Greeting from Beijing

商务电子邮件、公司同事之间发送的电子邮件,开头部分要开门见山,直奔主题。不过,为了使邮件看起来友好一点,我们也会用问候语开头,比如:

Greeting from Beijing. (我在北京问候您)

Hello from Colors City. (来自色彩城市的问候)

I trust you are doing well. (我相信你最近过得很好)

I hope things are going well with you. (我希望您事事顺利)

来看例子,

Dear Jack,

How is everything these day? I just transferred to Beijing branch as a marketing manager, thanks for helping me in the past year.

Sincerely,

Wilson

(亲爱的杰克,你最近过得怎么样?我刚调到北京做营销经理,感谢你过去一年对我的帮助,威尔逊敬上)

3. Best regard

商务电子邮件的结尾会使用敬语,虽然它没有什么特殊的含义,但在邮件末尾部分却是必不可少的,就像我们平常说的“谢谢了”、“您辛苦了”等来结束邮件一样。

如果关系比较亲密,可以用:Regards/Best Regards/Warm Regards。

如果想显得亲切一点,可以用:Sincerely/Sincerely yours/With best regards。

比较正式的结尾,可以用:Yours truly/Respectfully。

来看个例子,

Dear Roy,

I am writing to tell you a little bit about my company and the work we do. Our company is one of the most famous health food distributors in Canada.

Best regard,

Lee

(亲爱的罗伊,我想跟你介绍一下我们公司和我们所做的事情。我司是加拿大最知名的健康食品经销商之一,祝好,李。)

4. Appreciate

感谢是我们商务邮件中经常要做的事情。

这种情况下我们可以用Thanks for,比如:

Thanks for helping me with the project. 

(感谢您在这个项目上给我的帮助)

同时,我们更可以使用appreciate,这个词听起来更加尊重人,比如:

I appreciate the welcome you gave our president last week.

(感谢上周您对我们董事长的款待。)

来看个例句,

Hello Steve,

I was wondering if you could do me a favor. Could you send me the name and telephone number of your contact at Wilson Technologies?

Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Jack

(史蒂夫,你可以帮我一个忙么,你能把你在威尔逊技术公司的熟人的姓名、电话号码给我么?我将万分感谢你的合作。杰克敬上。)

5. Wound it be possible to

工作嘛,简单说就是互帮互助。

在商务电子邮件中,当我们想简单请别人做一件事,可以用Could,比如:

Could I get an extension on the schedule?

(我可以延后一下日程么?)

但要是请求对方给予许可或协助时,就要用Would it be possible to了(或者简单一点直接用If possible),比如:

Would it be possible for me to get more information?

(我可以得到更多信息么?)

来看个例子,

Dear Cook,

I am sorry about the short notice, but because of an emergency meeting I need to attend, our appointment has to be changed,would it be possible to reschedule it to this Friday?

Best regards,

Steve

(库克,我很抱歉因为一个紧急会议我们的会面时间需要改变,调成这周五可以么?祝好,史蒂夫)


6. Deserve this promotion

当合作伙伴晋升,深谙商业胡吹之道的我们当然要第一时间发邮件祝贺了。

一般来说,这样的邮件尽量使用正式的语气,传递发自内心的真情实感,邮件内容也不宜过长。常用的祝贺语有:

You definitely deserved this promotion.

(这次晋升机会是你应得的。)

I can’t think of a better person for this job.

(没有人比你更适合那个职位。)

Congratulations on your new position as a senior researcher.

(祝贺你晋升为高级研究员。)

来看个例子,

Dear Stephen,

Congratulations on your new position as general manager of the Asian Region. With your vast experience in Asia, I can’t think of a better person to head the region.

Warmest regards,

John

(史蒂芬,祝贺你晋升为亚洲区域总监,以您在亚洲地区的丰富经验,我认为没有人比你更适合这个岗位。祝好,约翰。)
7. Continued support 

当你职务晋升时,你就要知道,这是因为肯帮你的人很多,这时你就要发邮件感谢合作伙伴的【持续帮助】了——continued support。你可以这么说:

As always, thank you for your continued support.

(我一如既往地感谢你对我的支持。)

当然,你也可以继续请求他人接着支持你,比如:

I look forward to your continued support and patronage.

(我希望您能继续支持我。)

来看个例子,

Dear Jackson,

I will be transferred to the Chicago branch as sales manager, Tom will be taking over me and he will be in touch with you soon. Your continued support will be greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Jack

(亲爱的杰克逊,我将被调到芝加哥分部做销售经理了,汤姆会接替我的工作,他会尽快联系你。感谢你对我的持续支持。祝好,杰克。)

8. Apologize for

如果我们工作上有了失误,或者回复对方邮件不够及时,正确的做法就是及时道歉,尽量解释清楚原因,使得对方能够接受。你可以说:

I am sorry I could not respond sooner, you won’t believe how busy I’ve been.

(很抱歉没有及时回复,你不会相信我一直多么忙。)

你也可以这么说:

I apologize for my behavior yesterday, there is no excuse for such an error.

(我为我昨天的行为道歉,对于这种错误没有任何借口。)

来看个例子,

Dear Jonathan,

Your disappointment with delayed delivery is completely understandable. We are sorry about the unexpected inconvenience to your company.

Sincerely,

Jack

(亲爱的乔纳森,您对发货延误的失望心情完全可以理解,我们很抱歉给贵公司增添了意外不便。)

9. Be given your e-mail address by

在商务活动中,很多新朋友都是老朋友介绍认识的。

当我们从朋友那里拿到意向人的联系方式时,在邮件开头要提及一下,这样显得有礼貌,也可以拉一下交情。你可以这么说:

I was given your e-mail address by Mr. Johnson.

(我从约翰逊先生那里获得你的邮箱地址。)

或者简单一点说:

I was referred to you by Mr. Johnson.

我们来看个例子,

Dear David,

My name is Smith and I am in charge of marketing at XYZ Co. I was given your e-mail address by a common acquaintance of ours, Mr. Johnson.

Best regards,

Smith

(大卫,我是史密斯,XYZ公司的市场总监,我们共同的好友约翰逊先生向我引荐了你。祝好,史密斯。)

10. ASAP/RSVP/FYI

在商务电子邮件中,有一些缩写我们是必须要知道的,因为它们是高频词汇,不知道它们会影响我们正常的沟通。比如:ASAP/RSVP/FYI。

ASAP是as soon as possible的缩写,意思是“尽快”;

RSVP是法语的缩写词,意思是“敬请回复”;

而FYI是for your information的缩写词,意思是“供您参考”。

不过在商务电子邮件中,我们最好慎用缩写词,因为许多新造词还没有得到普及使用。

我们来看个例子,

Hello Jack,

I will arrive Beijing tomorrow morning, please book a hotel room for me ASAP.

Thanks!

Steve

(杰克,我明天早上到北京,请尽快帮我预定酒店房间,感谢,史蒂夫。)

11.Schedule permits

在商务活动中,我们时常要邀请他人参加一些聚餐和活动,联络联络感情。

比如,邀请他人吃晚饭你可以这么说:

Are you free on Tuesday to join us for dinner?

(你周四有空跟我们一起吃晚饭么?)

或者正式一点,你可以这么说:

If your schedule permits, I would like to have lunch with you on Friday.

(如果你时间允许的话,我想周五跟你吃个午饭。)

当然,我们也要邀请别人来参加公司活动,来看个例子:

Dear Mr. Hansen:

You are cordially invited to attend the grand opening of the New Word Mall in Haidian as our VIP guest.

We look forward to having you join us for this exciting celebration.

Sincerely,

John

(汉森先生,我们诚挚地邀请你作为贵宾出席即将在海淀举办的新世界商场开业典礼。约翰,敬上。)

12. Return the favor

这里有一个商务电子邮件小技巧,那就是:无论邮件内容是好的还是坏的,在邮件的结束语我们最好积极展望一下双方以后的来往,这是一种礼貌的做法。

我们可以这么说:

If you have any questions, I’d be glad to answer them.

(如有任何疑问,我都很乐意为您解答。)

I hope that we have adequately addressed your concerns.

(希望我们已经为您解除了顾虑。)

Let me know if I can return the favor in some way.

(请告诉我是否可以通过某种方式报答您的帮助。)

I can’t wait to see you.

(我迫不及待跟您见面。)

这就是我们常说的导语部分要亲切,结束语部分要积极。

13. Request for a quote

当我们跟商务合作伙伴聊得差不多的时候,就该谈到钱了,这时候我们需要对方提供报价——request for a quote.(quote就是报价的意思)

我们可以这么说:

Please send us the quotation for the logo design by October 31.

(请在10月31日之前发给我们你们的logo设计报价。)

当我们收到报价请求后,可以这么回复:

We are delighted to know that you are interested in our product. Our quotation is as follows:

(我们很高兴你对我们的产品感兴趣,我们的报价如下。)

来看个例子,

Dear Davis,

Please send us the quotation for this items below by June 22.

Item: Hyper Shredder GZ
Quantity: 10 units

Please include any shipping fees in your quote.

Sincerely,

Steve

(戴维斯,请在6月22日之前发给我贵司10台施耐德产品的报价单,报价中请包含运费。史蒂夫,敬上。)

14.Place an order

昨天我们说到跟合作伙伴索要报价单,如果一切顺利,接下来就是下订单了!

Place an order就是订货、开订单的意思,商务电子邮件中我们可以这么说:

I would like to place an order for the following:

(我想订购下列货物。)

你也可以这么说:

Please accept my order for the following textbooks:

(请接受我订购以下教科书的订单。)

我们来看个例子,

Dear Jackson,

I would like to order the following items:

Item: #E-02 ebony paper(A4)
Quantity: 25 reams
Total price: $100.00

I hope that you will ship the items immediately.

Sincerely,

Steve

(杰克逊,我想订购一下产品,产品型号:E-02号乌木纸;数量:25令;总价:100美元。请尽快发货。史蒂夫,敬上。)

15. Strategic partnership

在商务活动中,我们时常要跟对方提议合作。你可以这么说:

We are impressed with your brand and would like to become a franchisee of your restaurant concept.

(我们对你的品牌印象深刻,想成为你们餐厅理念的特许使用人。)

当然,你还需要提及双方合作可以获得的利益,比如: 

Because we are familiar with the market here, we can assist you in formulating the right strategy for China.

(我们熟悉这里的市场,可以帮你制定合适的中国战略。)

如果双方非常契合,利益高度吻合,那就要形成战略合作关系了——strategic partnership,来看个例子:

Dear Mr. Robson:

We would like to form a strategic partnership with your company. We believe such a partnership would give both our companies an edge in this market in terms of buying power.

Sincerely,

Kevin Yin

(我们想跟贵公司结成战略伙伴关系,我们相信这会在购买力方面使得我们两家公司在市场上获得优势。)

16. Task force team

在职场工作中,我们时常要召集同事一起开会讨论讨论。在商务邮件中,开会的时间、地点是要很明确的,你可以这么说:

let’s meet on March 20 at 10:30 a.m. in Conference Room B.

(3月20日上午十点半我们在B会议室见。)

你也可以这么说:

We’re having our weekly progress meeting on Friday, January 31, at 10 a.m. at my office.

(1月31日星期五大家在我的办公室开进展情况周例会。)

通常,企业还会为某个特定项目而由多个部门的管理者组成一个小组,这个小组就叫专责组——task force team(TFT),来看个例子:

Dear all,

The first construction task force team meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 9 at 2 p.m. If you can’t make the meeting, please let me know by tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Jack

(建筑专责组第一次会议定于11月9日(星期四)下午2点召开,如果你不能参加会议,请于明天之前告诉我。)

17. At your convenience

当我们跟合作伙伴在线上聊得差不多了,这时候就要见网友了。

商务邮件中,用convenient询问对方什么时候见面比较方便就很得体,比如你可以这么说:

When is a convenient time for me to visit? 

(我什么时候去拜访你比较方便呢?)

当然,你也可以这么说:

If you would like to discuss this matter further, I would be glad to meet with you at your convenience.

(如果你想就这件事再做进一步讨论,我们很乐意在你方便的时候去见你。)

来,看个具体例子:

Dear Roy,

We are very much interested in discussing the upcoming project in more detail with you, would Wednesday or Thursday of next week be convenient for you?

Regards,

Wilson

(我们对即将开始的这个项目进行更具体的商讨很感兴趣,下周三或下周四你方便么?)

18. Contact information

人脉很重要,多个朋友多条路。但首先,你得有人家的联系方式——Contact information。

而且我们常常都是需要向朋友介绍别的朋友,或者需要朋友介绍自己给别人,这时你可以这么说:

If you could introduce me to Mr. Seville at Seville Josh & Associates, I would be grateful.

(如果你能把我介绍给塞维尔乔西联合公司的塞维尔先生,我将很感谢。)

你也可以这么说:

I would have to say Paul is probably the best authority on that type of information. Here’s his contact information.

(保罗大概是那方面信息最权威的人,这是他的联系方式。)

来,我们看个例子:

Dear Paul,

Another client of our company, George Sanders at ETC Design, is interested in discussing a possible project with you. I hope you don’t mind that I gave him your contact information.

Best regards,

Jack

(我公司的另一个客户,ETC设计公司的乔治·桑德斯先生有兴趣跟你谈一个项目,希望你别介意我把你的联系方式给他了。)

19. In response to

在商务邮件中,我们经常要回复客户、合作伙伴的咨询和要求。这时,回复邮件里用in response to(作为对......的回答)来开头是再好不过了,你可以这么说:

In response to your query, I’m attaching the specification for the X-900 model.

(作为对你咨询的回复,我现附上X-900型号的规格。)

你也可以这么说:

In response to your question about discount for cash payment, we have attached a spreadsheet showing discount rates per each item we offer.

(作为对你关于现金优惠问题的回复,我已附上折扣电子表格。)

来,看个例子:

Dear Paul,

In response to your e-mail of December 1, I’m pleased to be able to send you our comprehensive product catalog, attached in PDF format. I look forward to your first order.

Sincerely,

Jack

(作为对你12月1日邮件的回复,我很高兴附上我们综合产品的目录。)

20. May I get your approval

“望领导批准”在英文邮件里怎么说呢?哈哈哈很简单就是——May I get your approval。

这种类似的表达还有很多,比如:

Please allow me to purchase a new laptop computer as my old one is now five years old.

(请允许我一台新的笔记本电脑,因为旧电脑已经用了5年了。)

你还可以这么说:

With your permission, I would like to discuss the contract directly with their attorneys.

(如果你同意的话,我想直接跟他们的律师讨论合同事宜。)

来,看个例子:

Dear Kevin,

May I get your approval to attend the Fashion & Apparel Trade Show in Dallas, Texas, from July 2 to 5?

Best regards,

Steve

(我可以得到你的允许参加7月2日到5日在德克萨斯州达拉斯市举办的时装与服饰贸易展么?)

21. Please proceed as planned

在商务电子邮件中,我们也会给同事和下属做一些指示,你可以直接简单地说:My directions are as follow(我的指示如下)。

无关或不必要的内容要省去,关键的信息要说明,还有就是要避免使用命令的语气,你可以这么说:

Please proceed as planned.

(请按计划进行。)

You may want to double-check with Frank about the figures.

(你也许需要跟富兰克林再次核对一下这些数字。)

You are not to discuss this matter with Mr. Zhao under any circumstances.

(无论在什么情况下,你都不能和赵先生讨论这件事。)

It may be wise to simply wait for the other side to make a move.

(或许等对方先采取行动是明智的。)

22. Major priority

工作嘛,最重要的事情就是分得清轻重缓急。

Major priority是首要大事,secondary importance是次要的。要在商务邮件中说明事情的重要程度,你可以这么说:

I strongly recommend double-checking all data from the research.

(我强烈建议复核研究中得出的数据。)

Our major priority at this point is to figure out a way to salvage our relationship with Mr. Cranston.

(目前我们的首要大事是挽回我们与克兰斯顿先生的关系。)

来,看个例子:

Dear peter,

I think the most important thing is to first ascertain the extant of the damage at the warehouse caused by the rain. Only then can we formulate an action plan to address this problem.

Regards,

Steve

(我认为最重要的事情是先确认仓库漏雨造成的损失程度,只有这样我们才能制定解决这个问题的行动计划。)

23. IMHO

当别人问你:“这件事你怎么看?”你就需要说出自己的观点了。

如果你想礼貌、委婉一点,你可以用IMHO(in my humble opinion),它可以表达“依我之拙见”的意思,这是一个非常通用的缩写,比如:

IMHO, the performance of the new PR agency has been less than expected.

(依我之拙见,新公关代理的表现低于预期。)

当然,态度可以委婉,但自己的想法要明确、慎重地传达给对方的。比如:

As far as I’m concerned, the rumors are absolutely false.

(就我而言,那些传闻都是假的。)

来,看个例子:

Dear Paul,

My opinion about the new method proposed by the engineers is that we should run multiple tests to ensure the program’s stability. I don’t think we can afford to rework the program after turning it over to our client.

Sincerely,

Steve

(对于工程师提议的新方法,我的意见是我们应该进行多次测试以确保程序的稳定性,把程序交给客户后,我们就无法修改了。)

24. Three-step process

虽然我们不是王健林,但在职场中也要时不时定一下小目标的!

Long-term goal是长期目标,tentative plan是暂定计划,three-step process是三步走过程。如果需要在商务邮件中说明计划和目标,你可以这么说:

As you know, our long-term goal is to become the leading mobile content provider in Asia.

(你知道的,我们的长期目标是成为亚洲领先的移动内容提供商。)

In the short term, we want to develop at least five new original cable programs.

(在短期内,我们希望开发5个新的原创有线电视节目。)

Our tentative plan is as follows:

(我们的暂定计划如下。)

This three-step process is designed to accelerate our entry into the beverage import market.

(这个三步走计划是为了加快我们进入饮料进口行业的速度而设计的。)

25. You have my word

“我承诺你”在商务电子邮件中应该怎么说呢?哈哈哈很简单,就是you have my word。需要注意的事是,我们承诺的事情要做到哦,类似说法还有很多,请看:

You have my word that the final version will be on your desk by 3 p.m. Friday.

(我承诺周五下午3点之前,终稿会在你的办公桌上。)

I can guarantee the safe delivery of your vase.

(我可以保证你的花瓶会安全送到。)

来,看个例子:

Dear Carol,

We understand your concern, but let me reassure you that the custom-made desks will be delivered to your office by this Friday. Once you receive the desks, our 2-year warranty will go into effect.

Best regards,

Jack Lee


(我们理解你的担心,但我向你在此保证,定做的办公桌在本周五之前回送到你的办公室。一旦你收到了,2年质量保证书会立即生效。)

26. Two thumbs up on that

Two thumbs up on that是我完全同意的意思,这可以用在我们对同事、合作伙伴的提案表明态度的时候。当然,你还可以这么说:

You took the words right out of my mouth.

(你把我嘴里的话都说出来了。)

We are most definitely on the same page.

(我们确实意见一致。)

You have our full support on this one.

(关于这件事,你有我们的全力支持。)

来,看个例子:

Dear Steve,

Regarding the Russian office, I agree with your opinion that we should first wait and see how the situation unfolds. With the office in American, however, I think we should move quickly.

Sincerely,

Kobe

(关于俄罗斯办事处,我同意你我们应该先观望形势如何发展的观点。但关于美国办事处,我们认为我们应该尽快行动。)

27. I'm not buying the argument

I’m not buying the argument是我不买账的意思,在商务邮件中可以用来表达对他人意见的反对。这样的用法还有很多,比如:

To be fair, I think your opinion has its merits, but it just doesn’t work for us.

(公正地说,我认为你的意见有它的优点,但对我们行不通。)

I have difficulties understanding your point about needing to finish the production by this week.

(我很难理解你关于这周前需完成生产的理由。)

来,看个例子:

Dear Claire,

Thank you for suggesting that we change the color of the training binder. I can understand your reason for wanting to have all materials match the T-shirt you’ve ordered, but we think that doing so now would be unrealistic and too costly.

Best regards,

Kobe

(感谢你建议我们把培训资料活页夹的颜色改一下,我们可以理解你的理由,但是现在这么做不太现实且成本太高。)

28. Submit my resignation

铁打的公司流水的员工,我们难免都要辞职的。那么怎么写一封得体的辞职邮件呢?

With great reluctance(很不情愿地)和submit my resignation(递交辞呈)了解一下,当然,好聚好散嘛,邮件里也可以提及一下自己的离职理由和对公司的感激之情!

With great reluctance, I am submitting my resignation.

(我很不情愿地递交我的辞呈。)

As I mentioned during our discussion yesterday, I could not pass up the opportunities and financial benefits presented by the offer.

(如我们昨天所讨论的那样,我无法拒绝那个聘用通知所描述的机会以及经济利益。)

来,看个例子:

Dear Peter,

It is with much reluctance and regret that I submit my resignation, effective August 3, 2018. Meanwhile, I will gladly help in training my replacement. I wish to thank you for guidance you have given me over the years.

Sincerely,

Steve

(我很不愿意递交我的辞呈,感谢多年来你给我的指导。)

29. Ask for two days off

常在河边走,哪能不感冒生病一下啥的。再加上我们这么爱加班,生病那是在所难免了。那么,在商务邮件里怎么请病假呢?请看:

Could I get your permission to take a day off to go see a doctor?

(我能休一天假去看医生么?)

I will need to stay home for several days to recover from the car accident.

(我需要在家休养几天以便从车祸中康复。)

来,看个例子:

Dear Tom,

I will have to ask for two days off to get a full checkup on my condition. I am sorry about the short notice, but it couldn’t be helped. Please let me know if you’re okay with my taking the two days off.

Regards,

Jack

(我接受一次全面的检查,我将不得不请两天假。很抱歉临时告诉你,请告诉我是否批准。)

30. Please clarify what you meant

当我们不清楚对方提出的想法时,错误的做法是不了了之,正确而专业的做法是询问对方TA的想法具体是什么意思。在商务电子邮件中,你可以这么说:

Could you clarify one point for me?

(你能为我阐明一点么?)

Can you provide more details about your ideas to improve productivity?

(关于你提高生产力的想法,你能多提供一点详细说明么?)

I’m quite not sure what you meant by a master plan. Do you mean a plan created with input from all departments?

(我不太确定你说的整体规划是什么意思,你的意思是根据所有部门的意见制定规划么?)

来,我们看个例子:

Dear Pony,

In your last e-mail, you expressed the opinion that proposed budget changes should be reassessed. I was wondering, however, if you could clarify which specific aspects of the proposed changes you thought should in fact be reassessed.

Best regards,

Tony

(在你的上一封邮件中,你表达了应该重新评估预算变更提案的观点。我想知道你具体是哪些方面需要变更?)

31. Human resources department

在职场工作中,我们需要给公司的各个部门发邮件。要是不知道公司部门的英文名称,那就尴尬了,来,这9个部门名称你一定要知道:

Accounting Department:会计部门

Human Resources Department:人力资源部门

Finance Department:金融部门

Legal Department:法务部门

Research Department:研究部门

Public Relations Department:公共关系部门

Marketing Department:市场部门

Sales Department:销售部门

Overseas Department:海外部门

来,我们看个例子:

Dear all,

This is Jack form Marketing Department. Does anyone have a spare chair our team can use? If you do, please call me. My extension is 5612.

Best regards,

Jack Lee

(我是市场部的杰克,谁有多余的椅子么,如果有请打我电话,分机号是5612。)