Letter Writing in Spanish!

Date and Address

You must start by writing the city ( this could be any city eg. Caracas, Valencia, San Fernando,
Buenos Aires etc.) that you are writing from followed by a comma and then date at the top right-
hand corner of your paper:
Caracas,el 5 de junio de 2012

Then in the left hand corner you will have your salutation (Dear....etc.)
Salutation
Your letter will then begin with a salutation. Note the use of the colon:

 Querida María: Dear María,

 Querido José: Dear José,
 Queridos María y José: Dear María and José,
 Queridísima abuela: My dear grandmother,
 Mi querida Ana: My dear Ana,
Note that Querido has different forms (masculine and feminine; singular and plural) according to
whom the letter is being written.
Paragraph One
After your salutation, the first paragraph should be indented and subsequent paragraphs be
started on a new line.
This paragraph should be approximately twenty- five(25) words. This paragraph should include
enquiries about the person’s health and a statement of the purpose of the letter- as far as these
are applicable.
Here are some examples:

¿Cómo estás? How are you?

¿Qué tal?
Espero que estés bien.
Espero que tengas buena salud
Espero que todo vaya bien.
Escribo para decirte que…
How are things?
I hope that you are well
I hope that you are in good health
I hope that all is going well
I am writing to tell you that....

Paragraphs Two & Three

These paragraphs may be approximately 50-100 words and give most of the details asked for in
the guidelines.
Paragraph Four
This paragraph should be approximately 25 words. This paragraph brings the letter to a close, in
a manner that is not abrupt, and is friendly and polite, in keeping with the tone of the rest of the
letter.
Here are some examples you can include:

Favor de escribirme pronto Please write me soon

Espero tu próxima carta I look forward to your next letter
Salúdame a tu familia My regards to your family
Que tengas un buen día Have a good day
Cuídate amigo/amiga Take care, friend

Closing Salutation
This salutation should go on the left hand side of your letter after all information has been
included in the letter. They should be followed by a comma and in the next line a name ( who is
writing the letter) should be given. You do not have to use your real name:
Con cariño [ with love],
León
Here are some more examples of the closing salutation you may use:

Con todo mi afecto, With all my affection,

Bezos y abrazos, Hugs and kisses, [ kisses and hugs]
Tu amigo/amiga, Your friend,
Un abrazo fuerte, A big hug,
Afectuosamente, Affectionately,