Letter meanings in French

lettre, lettre (alphabet), lettre de motivation, lettre d'information, lettre recommandée

Letter meanings in French

lettre

Example:

I received a letter from my friend.

J'ai reçu une lettre de mon ami.

Please write a letter to your teacher.

Veuillez écrire une lettre à votre professeur.

Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in personal communication, official correspondence, and literary contexts.

Note: The word 'lettre' can refer to both handwritten and typed letters. In formal contexts, it may also refer to letters of recommendation or other official documents.

lettre (alphabet)

Example:

The letter 'A' is the first letter of the alphabet.

La lettre 'A' est la première lettre de l'alphabet.

Can you write the letters of your name?

Peux-tu écrire les lettres de ton nom ?

Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in educational settings, language classes, and discussions about the alphabet.

Note: In this context, 'lettre' refers to individual characters in the alphabet. It's important to distinguish between 'lettre' as a character and 'lettre' as a written message.

lettre de motivation

Example:

I need to write a cover letter for my job application.

Je dois écrire une lettre de motivation pour ma candidature.

Her cover letter was very impressive.

Sa lettre de motivation était très impressionnante.

Usage: formalContext: Used in professional contexts, particularly related to job applications and academic admissions.

Note: A 'lettre de motivation' specifically refers to a letter that accompanies a CV or resume, explaining the applicant's motivation and qualifications.

lettre d'information

Example:

I subscribed to a newsletter and received a letter of information.

Je me suis abonné à une lettre d'information.

The company sends out a monthly information letter.

L'entreprise envoie une lettre d'information chaque mois.

Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in marketing, business communications, and community updates.

Note: A 'lettre d'information' is typically used for newsletters or updates from organizations and can be sent via email or traditional mail.

lettre recommandée

Example:

I sent the documents via registered letter.

J'ai envoyé les documents par lettre recommandée.

You should use a registered letter for important correspondence.

Tu devrais utiliser une lettre recommandée pour une correspondance importante.

Usage: formalContext: Used in legal and official communications where proof of delivery is required.

Note: A 'lettre recommandée' is a type of mail service that provides a receipt proving that the letter was sent, commonly used for official documents.

Letter's synonyms

message

A message is a written, spoken, or recorded communication sent from one person to another.

Example: I received a message from my friend.

Note: While a letter is a specific form of written communication, a message can be written, spoken, or recorded.

note

A note is a brief written record of something to assist the memory or for communication.

Example: She left a note on the kitchen table.

Note: A note is usually shorter and more informal than a letter.

correspondence

Correspondence refers to communication by exchanging letters with someone.

Example: The company's correspondence with its clients is handled professionally.

Note: Correspondence is a broader term that encompasses all forms of written communication, including letters.

missive

A missive is a formal or official letter.

Example: The ambassador sent a missive to the foreign ministry.

Note: Missive is often used in formal or official contexts, whereas a letter can be more casual.

Letter expressions, common phrases

Open letter

An open letter is a letter that is published and intended for a wide audience to read, often addressing a specific issue or expressing a viewpoint.

Example: The activist wrote an open letter to the government expressing her concerns.

Note: The term 'open letter' carries the implication of being public and accessible to many, as opposed to a private communication.

Chain letter

A chain letter is a message that is sent to multiple recipients with a request to forward it to others, often promising good luck or threatening bad luck if not followed.

Example: I received a chain letter in my email inbox asking me to send it to ten more people.

Note: Unlike a traditional letter, a chain letter is typically not a personal communication but rather a message passed along in a chain-like manner.

Dead letter

A dead letter refers to a law, rule, or agreement that is no longer valid or enforceable.

Example: The law that was passed has rendered the previous regulations a dead letter.

Note: In this context, 'dead letter' conveys the idea of something that is obsolete or ineffective, rather than a literal written communication.

Love letter

A love letter is a written expression of affection, typically romantic in nature and intended to convey deep emotions to a loved one.

Example: He poured his heart out in a love letter to his long-distance girlfriend.

Note: Unlike a casual letter or message, a love letter is usually more intimate and heartfelt, expressing deep emotions.

Red letter day

A red-letter day is a special, memorable day, often marked by an important event or achievement that stands out in one's memory.

Example: Winning the championship was definitely a red-letter day in his life.

Note: This phrase uses 'red letter' figuratively to signify significance or importance, rather than referring to a physical letter.

Dear John letter

A Dear John letter is a letter, typically from a woman to her partner, informing them of the end of the relationship.

Example: She couldn't face him, so she sent a Dear John letter instead.

Note: The term 'Dear John letter' is specific to a breakup message sent through a letter and conveys the idea of a formal or impersonal breakup notification.

Letter of the law

To adhere strictly to the letter of the law means to obey the exact words and interpretation of a law, regulation, or rule, without considering the spirit or intention behind it.

Example: He followed the letter of the law, even if it seemed unfair.

Note: This phrase emphasizes strict adherence to the literal wording of a law, focusing on technical compliance rather than the underlying purpose or intent.

Letter-perfect

Something described as letter-perfect is flawless, accurate, and without errors or imperfections.

Example: Her presentation was letter-perfect, with no mistakes in sight.

Note: The term 'letter-perfect' emphasizes precision and correctness down to the smallest detail, akin to the flawless appearance of well-formed letters.

Letters of recommendation

Letters of recommendation are formal letters written by someone who knows you well, endorsing your character, abilities, and qualifications for a specific purpose, such as a job or academic application.

Example: He asked his former professors to write letters of recommendation for his job applications.

Note: Unlike personal or casual letters, letters of recommendation have a formal structure and are tailored to support someone's application or candidacy for a particular opportunity.

Letter everyday (slang) expressions

Drop a line

To communicate briefly or send a short message.

Example: Hey, why don't you drop me a line sometime?

Note: Replaces 'write a letter,' suggesting a more casual and informal form of communication such as a text or email.

Hit the books

To study intensively or start working on something.

Example: I need to hit the books and write this paper tonight.

Note: Refers to starting to study or work on something in a focused way, not to literally hitting physical books or letters.

Get the message

To understand or comprehend something.

Example: I think he finally got the message about why we can't go.

Note: Implies understanding or receiving information, not necessarily written in a letter.

Read between the lines

To understand the hidden or implied meaning in what someone says or writes.

Example: She didn't say it directly, but I'm reading between the lines that she's not happy.

Note: Refers to understanding the subtext or hidden message in communication, not literally reading letters between lines on a page.

In black and white

In written or printed form, typically referring to something official or documented.

Example: I need to see it in black and white before I believe it.

Note: Refers to something being clearly written or documented, not specifically as a 'letter' but more broadly as written information in any form.

Put it in writing

To formalize or make official by documenting in writing.

Example: If you agree to these terms, I'll need you to put it in writing.

Note: Refers to any written communication, not limited to a traditional 'letter,' but could involve emails, contracts, etc.

Read my lips

An emphatic way to ensure someone understands and remembers a statement.

Example: Read my lips, I'm not going to change my mind.

Note: An idiom to emphasize a verbal message, not related to reading words literally on lips as in a letter.

Letter - Examples

I received a letter from my friend yesterday.

J'ai reçu une lettre de mon ami hier.

The word 'cat' has three letters.

Le mot 'chat' a trois lettres.

Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing.

La calligraphie est l'art de l'écriture élégante.

Letter grammar

Letter - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)

Lemma: letter

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): letters

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): letter

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): lettered

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): lettering

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): letters

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): letter

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): letter

Syllables, Separation and Stress

letter Contains 2 syllables: let • ter

Phonetic transcription: ˈle-tər

let ter , ˈle tər (The red syllable is stressed)

Letter - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

letter: 400 - 500 (Extremely common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

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