If writing email in Mandarin feels like trying to assemble a desk from tiny mysterious screws, relax. Chinese emails are actually pretty formulaic, which is good news for learners and mildly disappointing for drama lovers. Once you know the standard parts, you can write a polite, clear email in Traditional Chinese without sounding like a robot that swallowed a textbook.
For the broader learning path, visit our parent guide.
In this guide, you will learn the most useful email phrases in Traditional Chinese, plus pinyin and English meaning, with beginner-friendly examples. The goal is simple: by the end, you should be able to open, ask, explain, and close a basic email in a natural Taiwan-style way.
For extra practice, you can also compare this with other beginner tools like the Traditional Chinese placement test, the Traditional Chinese vocabulary test, and related lessons like how to start and end a letter in Traditional Chinese.
Email Basics You Should Know
Most everyday emails in Taiwan are polite, direct, and not too flowery. You usually do not need a giant fancy opening. Good news: no one is waiting for your poetic masterpiece. A clear subject line, a polite greeting, a short purpose, and a simple closing are enough.
Here is the basic structure:
- Subject — 簡潔清楚 jiǎnjié qīngchǔ — concise and clear
- Greeting — 問候語 wènhòuyǔ — greeting
- Purpose — 寫信目的 xiě xìn mùdì — reason for writing
- Main message — 主要內容 zhǔyào nèiróng — main content
- Closing — 結尾 jiéwěi — ending
- Signature — 簽名 qiānmíng — your name
In Taiwan, email can sound a little more formal than casual chat messages, especially in school, work, or service situations. If you are emailing a teacher, office, or company, polite language matters. If you are emailing a friend, you can be much simpler.
Useful Email Phrases And Real-Life Sentences
Below are the most useful phrases for writing a basic email. Each one includes Traditional Chinese, pinyin, English meaning, and a real example sentence.
| Traditional Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 您好 | nín hǎo | Hello; polite greeting | 您好，打擾您了。 | Nín hǎo, dǎrǎo nín le. | Hello, sorry to bother you. |
| 嗨 | hāi | Hi; casual greeting | 嗨，最近還好嗎？ | Hāi, zuìjìn hái hǎo ma? | Hi, how have you been lately? |
| 打擾您了 | dǎrǎo nín le | Sorry to bother you | 不好意思，打擾您了。 | Bù hǎoyìsi, dǎrǎo nín le. | Sorry, I am bothering you. |
| 我想請問 | wǒ xiǎng qǐngwèn | I would like to ask | 我想請問，這個課程還有名額嗎？ | Wǒ xiǎng qǐngwèn, zhège kèchéng hái yǒu míngé ma? | I would like to ask whether this course still has spots. |
| 想請教您 | xiǎng qǐngjiào nín | I would like to ask your advice | 我想請教您一個問題。 | Wǒ xiǎng qǐngjiào nín yí gè wèntí. | I would like to ask you a question. |
| 關於 | guānyú | About; regarding | 我寫這封信是想詢問關於報名的事情。 | Wǒ xiě zhè fēng xìn shì xiǎng xúnwèn guānyú bàomíng de shìqíng. | I am writing this email to ask about registration. |
| 詢問 | xúnwèn | To inquire; to ask about | 我想詢問課程時間。 | Wǒ xiǎng xúnwèn kèchéng shíjiān. | I would like to ask about the class time. |
| 通知 | tōngzhī | To inform; notice | 我先通知您這個變更。 | Wǒ xiān tōngzhī nín zhège biàngēng. | I am informing you of this change first. |
| 確認 | quèrèn | To confirm | 麻煩您幫我確認一下資料。 | Máfan nín bāng wǒ quèrèn yíxià zīliào. | Please help me confirm the information. |
| 附件 | fùjiàn | Attachment | 附件請您參考。 | Fùjiàn qǐng nín cānkǎo. | Please refer to the attachment. |
| 請見附件 | qǐng jiàn fùjiàn | Please see the attachment | 資料已整理好，請見附件。 | Zīliào yǐ zhěnglǐ hǎo, qǐng jiàn fùjiàn. | The information is organized; please see the attachment. |
| 麻煩您 | máfan nín | Please; sorry to trouble you | 麻煩您回覆一下。 | Máfan nín huífù yíxià. | Please reply when you can. |
| 請您 | qǐng nín | Please | 請您確認後回信。 | Qǐng nín quèrèn hòu huíxìn. | Please confirm and reply. |
| 再麻煩您 | zài máfan nín | Please help again; a polite follow-up | 再麻煩您確認一次，謝謝。 | Zài máfan nín quèrèn yí cì, xièxie. | Please check once more, thank you. |
| 謝謝您的幫忙 | xièxie nín de bāngmáng | Thank you for your help | 謝謝您的幫忙，感激不盡。 | Xièxie nín de bāngmáng, gǎnjī bù jìn. | Thank you for your help; I really appreciate it. |
| 期待您的回覆 | qīdài nín de huífù | Looking forward to your reply | 期待您的回覆，謝謝。 | Qīdài nín de huífù, xièxie. | Looking forward to your reply, thank you. |
| 敬祝 | jìngzhù | Respectfully wishing | 敬祝 平安順心。 | Jìngzhù píng’ān shùnxīn. | Wishing you peace and well-being. |
| 順心 | shùnxīn | Going smoothly; well | 祝您工作順心。 | Zhù nín gōngzuò shùnxīn. | Wishing you smooth work and things going well. |
How To Open An Email
The opening depends on who you are writing to. In Taiwan, 您好 nín hǎo is the safe choice for teachers, offices, companies, and anyone you do not know well. If the tone is casual, 嗨 hāi works for friends or people you know well.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 您好，… | Polite opening | 您好，打擾您了。 | Nín hǎo, dǎrǎo nín le. | Hello, sorry to bother you. |
| 老師您好，… | To a teacher | 老師您好，我想請教您一個問題。 | Lǎoshī nín hǎo, wǒ xiǎng qǐngjiào nín yí gè wèntí. | Hello, teacher. I would like to ask you a question. |
| 您好，冒昧來信。 | Formal email opening | 您好，冒昧來信，想請問課程資訊。 | Nín hǎo, màomèi láixìn, xiǎng qǐngwèn kèchéng zīxùn. | Hello. I am writing to ask about the course information. |
| 嗨，… | Casual opening | 嗨，好久不見！ | Hāi, hǎojiǔ bú jiàn! | Hi, long time no see! |
A useful phrase here is 打擾您了 dǎrǎo nín le, which means “sorry to bother you.” It sounds polite without being stiff. Think of it as the email version of quietly knocking before entering.
How To Say Why You Are Writing
After the greeting, say your purpose quickly. Chinese emails often get to the point faster than English emails. Not rude — just efficient. Everyone has things to do, and no one needs a ten-line warm-up.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 我想請問… | I would like to ask… | 我想請問課程時間是什麼時候？ | Wǒ xiǎng qǐngwèn kèchéng shíjiān shì shénme shíhòu? | I would like to ask when the class time is. |
| 我寫信是想… | I am writing to… | 我寫信是想確認報名資訊。 | Wǒ xiěxìn shì xiǎng quèrèn bàomíng zīxùn. | I am writing to confirm the registration information. |
| 我想詢問… | I would like to inquire about… | 我想詢問附件裡的資料。 | Wǒ xiǎng xúnwèn fùjiàn lǐ de zīliào. | I would like to ask about the information in the attachment. |
| 來信是想… | The reason for this email is to… | 來信是想請您協助確認一下。 | Láixìn shì xiǎng qǐng nín xiézhù quèrèn yíxià. | I am writing to ask you to help confirm something. |
Notice 是想 shì xiǎng. This is a very common softening pattern. It makes the sentence feel more natural and polite.
How To Ask Questions Politely
Questions in email usually use 請問 qǐngwèn, 可以 kěyǐ, or a polite ending like 嗎 ma. If you want to sound especially considerate, add 麻煩您 máfan nín before the request.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 請問… | May I ask… | 請問這個表單要怎麼填？ | Qǐngwèn zhège biǎodān yào zěnme tián? | May I ask how to fill out this form? |
| 可以請您… | Could you please… | 可以請您再寄一次嗎？ | Kěyǐ qǐng nín zài jì yí cì ma? | Could you please send it again? |
| 麻煩您… | Please help… | 麻煩您回覆一下，謝謝。 | Máfan nín huífù yíxià, xièxie. | Please reply, thank you. |
| …可以嗎？ | Is it possible to…? | 我今天下午過去可以嗎？ | Wǒ jīntiān xiàwǔ guòqù kěyǐ ma? | Can I come by this afternoon? |
For beginner learners, 嗎 ma is the easiest question particle. It turns a statement into a yes/no question. Small word, big job. Mandarin loves these little helpers.
How To Give Information Clearly
If the email is about a schedule, an attachment, your name, or a request, keep the sentences short and easy to scan. That is especially important in work and school emails. Long tangled sentences are where good intentions go to take a nap.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 附件請見 | Please see the attachment | 附件請見，謝謝。 | Fùjiàn qǐng jiàn, xièxie. | Please see the attachment, thank you. |
| 我的名字是… | My name is… | 我的名字是林雅婷。 | Wǒ de míngzì shì Lín Yǎtíng. | My name is Lin Yating. |
| 我的電話是… | My phone number is… | 我的電話是 09xx-xxx-xxx。 | Wǒ de diànhuà shì 09xx-xxx-xxx. | My phone number is 09xx-xxx-xxx. |
| 我已經… | I have already… | 我已經完成報名了。 | Wǒ yǐjīng wánchéng bàomíng le. | I have already finished registering. |
| 資料如下 | The details are as follows | 資料如下，請您參考。 | Zīliào rúxià, qǐng nín cānkǎo. | The details are as follows; please refer to them. |
Two very useful little words here are 如下 rúxià and 參考 cānkǎo. Together, they help email sound structured and professional without becoming stiff.
How To Close An Email
Closings in Traditional Chinese emails are usually polite and brief. In a formal email, you might use 謝謝 xièxie or 敬祝 平安順心 jìngzhù píng’ān shùnxīn. In a casual email, a simple 謝謝 or 期待您的回覆 is often enough.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 謝謝 | Thank you | 謝謝您的協助。 | Xièxie nín de xiézhù. | Thank you for your help. |
| 期待您的回覆 | Looking forward to your reply | 期待您的回覆，謝謝。 | Qīdài nín de huífù, xièxie. | Looking forward to your reply, thank you. |
| 敬祝 平安順心 | Wishing you peace and things going smoothly | 敬祝 平安順心。 | Jìngzhù píng’ān shùnxīn. | Respectfully wishing you peace and smooth days. |
| 祝好 | Best wishes | 祝好。 | Zhù hǎo. | Best wishes. |
| 此致 | Formal ending opener | 此致 敬禮。 | Cǐzhì jìnglǐ. | Respectfully yours. |
此致 敬禮 cǐzhì jìnglǐ is a classic formal ending, but everyday emails often feel more natural with simpler wording. Use it when the situation is quite formal. If not, plain politeness wins.
Simple Email Template
Here is a beginner-friendly template you can copy and adapt. It is simple, polite, and works for school or work in Taiwan.
您好，打擾您了。我寫信是想詢問關於＿＿＿的事情。 請問＿＿＿嗎？ 麻煩您幫我確認一下，謝謝。期待您的回覆。敬祝 平安順心＿＿＿Pinyin version:
Nín hǎo, dǎrǎo nín le.Wǒ xiěxìn shì xiǎng xúnwèn guānyú ＿＿＿ de shìqíng. Qǐngwèn ＿＿＿ ma? Máfan nín bāng wǒ quèrèn yíxià, xièxie.Qīdài nín de huífù.Jìngzhù Píng’ān shùnxīn＿＿＿English version:
Hello, sorry to bother you.I am writing to ask about ______. May I ask ______? Please help me confirm it. Thank you.Looking forward to your reply.Respectfully, Wishing you peace and well-being______Mini Grammar Notes For Email Writing
These tiny grammar points show up all the time in email. They are not glamorous, but they do the job. Like socks. Very important, not exciting.
| Word | Use | Example (ZH) | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 了 | Shows a change or completed action | 我已經寄出去了。 | Wǒ yǐjīng jì chūqù le. | I have already sent it out. |
| 的 | Links description and noun | 您的回覆我收到了。 | Nín de huífù wǒ shōudào le. | I received your reply. |
| 嗎 | Yes/no question marker | 這樣可以嗎？ | Zhèyàng kěyǐ ma? | Is this okay? |
| 呢 | Softens a question; “what about…?” | 那明天呢？ | Nà míngtiān ne? | Then what about tomorrow? |
| 吧 | Suggestion or softening | 我們先這樣處理吧。 | Wǒmen xiān zhèyàng chǔlǐ ba. | Let’s handle it this way first. |
Another useful detail: 您 nín is the polite form of “you.” It is the safer choice in formal emails. If you use 你 nǐ in a business or teacher email, it may sound too casual unless the relationship is already close.
Taiwan-Style Email Vocabulary
Below are words you will actually see in Taiwan emails, school notices, office messages, and customer service replies. This is the practical stuff, not the dusty dictionary stuff that lives in a cave.
| Traditional Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 信件 | xìnjiàn | Letter; email | 我收到您的信件了。 | Wǒ shōudào nín de xìnjiàn le. | I received your email. |
| 寄信 | jì xìn | To send an email | 我今天會寄信給您。 | Wǒ jīntiān huì jì xìn gěi nín. | I will send you an email today. |
| 回信 | huíxìn | To reply; reply email | 我晚點再回信給您。 | Wǒ wǎndiǎn zài huíxìn gěi nín. | I will reply to you later. |
| 附件 | fùjiàn | Attachment | 附件已經附上。 | Fùjiàn yǐjīng fù shàng. | The attachment has been included. |
| 主旨 | zhǔzhǐ | Subject line | 主旨請寫清楚。 | Zhǔzhǐ qǐng xiě qīngchǔ. | Please write the subject clearly. |
| 回覆 | huífù | Reply; response | 請您回覆這封信。 | Qǐng nín huífù zhè fēng xìn. | Please reply to this email. |
| 聯絡 | liánluò | To contact | 有問題可以再聯絡我。 | Yǒu wèntí kěyǐ zài liánluò wǒ. | If you have questions, you can contact me again. |
| 資料 | zīliào | Information; data | 請提供相關資料。 | Qǐng tígōng xiāngguān zīliào. | Please provide the relevant information. |
| 通知 | tōngzhī | Notice; inform | 我們會另外通知您。 | Wǒmen huì lìngwài tōngzhī nín. | We will notify you separately. |
| 說明 | shuōmíng | Explanation | 麻煩您提供詳細說明。 | Máfan nín tígōng xiángxì shuōmíng. | Please provide a detailed explanation. |
Common Mistakes And Easy Fixes
English speakers often make the same email mistakes in Mandarin. The fixes are simple, and yes, they save you from sounding accidentally blunt.
- Too casual with 你 — Use 您 nín in formal emails.
- Too much English-style fluff — Keep the purpose clear and short.
- Forgetting the subject line — Use 主旨 zhǔzhǐ and make it specific.
- Using direct requests without softening — Add 請問, 麻煩您, or 可以請您.
- Writing huge paragraphs — Break the email into short, easy chunks.
- Mixing Simplified and Traditional characters — Stay with Traditional Chinese only.
- Overusing formal language with friends — A casual email can sound much simpler.
If you want more practice with basic sentence patterns, the lesson on basic questions in Traditional Chinese is a great next stop. Email is really just polite questions wearing business casual.
Sample Email: Asking About A Class
Here is a complete beginner example. It is short, natural, and useful if you need to ask about a class, lesson, or schedule.
主旨：請問課程時間老師您好，我寫信是想詢問關於下週課程時間的事情。 請問下週三的課程是早上九點開始嗎？ 如果有變更，也請您通知我。謝謝您的幫忙。 期待您的回覆。敬祝 平安順心王小明Pinyin:
Zhǔzhǐ: qǐngwèn kèchéng shíjiānLǎoshī nín hǎo,Wǒ xiěxìn shì xiǎng xúnwèn guānyú xià zhōu kèchéng shíjiān de shìqíng. Qǐngwèn xià zhōu sān de kèchéng shì zǎoshang jiǔ diǎn kāishǐ ma? Rúguǒ yǒu biàngēng, yě qǐng nín tōngzhī wǒ.Xièxie nín de bāngmáng. Qīdài nín de huífù.Jìngzhù Píng’ān shùnxīnWáng XiǎomíngEnglish:
Subject: Asking About Class TimeHello, teacher,I am writing to ask about next week’s class time. May I ask if next Wednesday’s class starts at 9 a.m.? If there are any changes, please also let me know.Thank you for your help. Looking forward to your reply.Respectfully, Wishing you peace and well-beingWang XiaomingQuick Reference Summary
Use this mini checklist when writing an email in Traditional Chinese:
- Start politely: 您好 nín hǎo
- State your purpose: 我寫信是想… wǒ xiěxìn shì xiǎng…
- Ask clearly: 請問 qǐngwèn, 可以請您… kěyǐ qǐng nín…
- Be polite: 麻煩您 máfan nín, 謝謝 xièxie
- Close naturally: 期待您的回覆 qīdài nín de huífù
- Use a clear subject: 主旨 zhǔzhǐ
If you want the bigger cultural picture of the language, you can also browse the plain, dependable info at MOE Dictionary. Yes, it is boring. That is exactly why it is useful.
Final Yak Takeaway
Writing an email in Traditional Chinese is mostly about being polite, clear, and not overcomplicating things. Start with 您好, explain your purpose with 我寫信是想…, ask politely with 請問 or 麻煩您, and end with a simple thank-you. That is enough to sound thoughtful and natural. Tiny structure, big confidence. Email: conquered.
