{"id":8076,"date":"2015-07-13T07:52:31","date_gmt":"2015-07-13T07:52:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/?p=8076"},"modified":"2018-08-15T15:41:03","modified_gmt":"2018-08-15T15:41:03","slug":"writing-a-formal-letter-in-russian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/writing-a-formal-letter-in-russian\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing a Formal Letter in Russian"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

Perhaps some of our readers are learning Russian for more than personal enrichment. Some may want to study, work, or do business in Russia. If that’s the case, you need more that a few conversational phrases, and being familiar with and being able to write a business letter (\u0434\u0435\u043b\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0301\u0435 \u043f\u0438\u0441\u044c\u043c\u043e\u0301<\/strong>) may come in handy.<\/p>\n

There are obviously degrees of formality depending on the situation, addressee, your relationship with them, and the medium. Those curious about the most technical requirements are welcome to read the Russian GOST standard<\/a>. A hard-copy letter from a governmental agency will be different from an email from a business partner. However, there are some principles that are common to most formal letters.<\/p>\n

Header<\/h2>\n

The most formal of letters will likely start with the name and address of your organization in the nominative case. The GOST standard also calls for listing all sorts of tax and financial information, but even Russians don’t know that information off the top of their heads. If you somehow end up working for a Russian bank or the government, they will provide the necessary details. Traditionally, this block appears in the upper left-hand corner. Here is an example from an official letter<\/a>:
\n

\u0424\u0415\u0414\u0415\u0420\u0410\u041b\u042c\u041d\u0410\u042f
\n\u0410\u0420\u0425\u0418\u0412\u041d\u0410\u042f \u0421\u041b\u0423\u0416\u0411\u0410
\n\u0420\u041e\u0421\u0421\u0418\u0418
\n(\u0420\u041e\u0421\u0410\u0420\u0425\u0418\u0412)
\n\u0418\u043b\u044c\u0438\u043d\u043a\u0430 \u0443\u043b., 12, \u041c\u043e\u0441\u043a\u0432\u0430, 103132
\n\u0422\u0435\u043b. 206-35-31, \u0424\u0430\u043a\u0441 206-55-87
\n\u041b\/\u0441 69120037369 \u0432 \u0423\u0424\u041a \u041c\u0424 \u0420\u0424
\n\u043f\u043e \u0433. \u041c\u043e\u0441\u043a\u0432\u0435
\n\u0421\u0447. 40105810700000010079
\n\u041e\u0442\u0434\u0435\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 N\u043e. 1
\n\u0413\u0423 \u0426\u0411 \u0420\u0424 \u043f\u043e \u0433. \u041c\u043e\u0441\u043a\u0432\u0435<\/p>\n

_____________ N\u043e. _____________
\n\u041d\u0430 N\u043e. ________________________<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

The next part is the name of the addressee or their organization, which usually appears in the upper right-hand corner. The name\/job title of the addressee\u00a0needs to be in the dative case:<\/p>\n

\u041f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u0441\u0435\u0434\u0430\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044e
\n\u0413\u043e\u0441\u0443\u0434\u0430\u0440\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0435\u043d\u043d\u043e\u0433\u043e \u043a\u043e\u043c\u0438\u0442\u0435\u0442\u0430
\n\u0420\u043e\u0441\u0441\u0438\u0439\u0441\u043a\u043e\u0439 \u0424\u0435\u0434\u0435\u0440\u0430\u0446\u0438\u0438 \u043f\u043e
\n\u0441\u0442\u0430\u043d\u0434\u0430\u0440\u0442\u0438\u0437\u0430\u0446\u0438\u0438 \u0438 \u043c\u0435\u0442\u0440\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0433\u0438\u0438<\/p>\n

\u041b\u0435\u043d\u0438\u043d\u0441\u043a\u0438\u0439 \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0441\u043f., \u0434. 9,
\n\u041c\u043e\u0441\u043a\u0432\u0430, 117049<\/p><\/div>\n

Finally, a formal letter will list the subject under the address of the sender. The subject will normally start with “\u041e<\/strong>…” or “\u041f\u043e \u0432\u043e\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0301\u0441\u0443 \u043e<\/strong>…” + noun in the prepositional case; sometimes also “\u041a\u0430\u0441\u0430\u0301\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u043d\u043e<\/strong>…” + noun in the genitive case. For example: “\u041e \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0433\u0440\u0430\u0301\u043c\u043c\u0435 \u0441\u043e\u0442\u0440\u0443\u0301\u0434\u043d\u0438\u0447\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0430<\/strong>” (“About collaboration program”) or “\u041a\u0430\u0441\u0430\u0301\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u043d\u043e \u043f\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0430\u0301\u0432\u043a\u0438 \u0442\u043e\u0301\u043f\u043b\u0438\u0432\u0430<\/strong>” (“Regarding fuel delivery”) All of these expressions mean “regarding…”<\/p>\n

Mind that the points above apply to the most formal letters. The header section can be toned down quite a bit for less formal business letters, like this thank you letter<\/a> from a bank to a designer.<\/p>\n

Salutation<\/h2>\n

The standard opening line in formal letters is “\u0423\u0432\u0430\u0436\u0430\u0301\u0435\u043c\u044b\u0439\/\u0443\u0432\u0430\u0436\u0430\u0301\u0435\u043c\u0430\u044f<\/strong> + first name + patronymic!”, for example, “\u0423\u0432\u0430\u0436\u0430\u0301\u0435\u043c\u044b\u0439 \u041f\u0430\u0301\u0432\u0435\u043b \u0418\u043b\u044c\u0438\u0301\u0447<\/strong>!” Note the exclamation point at the end of the phrase — commas are uncommon. A more recent development is the use of “\u0423\u0432\u0430\u0436\u0430\u0301\u0435\u043c\u0430\u044f \u0433\u043e\u0441\u043f\u043e\u0436\u0430\u0301\/\u0423\u0432\u0430\u0436\u0430\u0301\u0435\u043c\u044b\u0439 \u0433\u043e\u0441\u043f\u043e\u0434\u0438\u0301\u043d<\/strong>” + last name (Dear Ms.\/Mr.), but that may sound odd to some recipients, especially older people who are not used to hearing \u0433\u043e\u0441\u043f\u043e\u0434\u0438\u0301\u043d or \u0433\u043e\u0441\u043f\u043e\u0436\u0430\u0301.<\/p>\n

Set Phrases<\/h2>\n

The language of a formal letter is quite fixed and full of set phrases (\u0448\u0430\u0431\u043b\u043e\u0301\u043d\u044b<\/strong>). I will list some of them here with a pretty literal as opposed to idiomatic translation so you can know what each part means. The purpose of each phrase is given in the subheadings. These phrases and many more can be found here<\/a>.
\nLetters from an individual will use the first person singular, while a letter from an organization will use the first person plural.
\nConfirming receipt<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u041c\u044b \u043f\u043e\u043b\u0443\u0447\u0438\u0301\u043b\u0438 \u0412\u0430\u0301\u0448\u0435 \u043f\u0438\u0441\u044c\u043c\u043e\u0301 \u043e\u0442<\/strong> + date (dd.mm.yyyy) + \u0432 \u043e\u0442\u043d\u043e\u0448\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u0438 + noun in genitive\u00a0 – we have received your letter of (date) regarding…
\n\u0411\u043b\u0430\u0433\u043e\u0434\u0430\u0440\u044e\u0301 \u0412\u0430\u0441 \u0437\u0430 \u0412\u0430\u0448\u0435 \u043f\u0438\u0441\u044c\u043c\u043e\u0301 \u043e\u0442<\/strong> + date – thank you for your letter of (date)
\n\u041f\u043e\u0434\u0442\u0432\u0435\u0440\u0436\u0434\u0430\u0301\u0435\u043c \u043f\u043e\u043b\u0443\u0447\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u0435<\/strong> + noun in genitive case – we confirm receipt of…<\/p>\n

Addressing Points
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u0412 \u0441\u043e\u043e\u0442\u0432\u0435\u0301\u0442\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0438\u0438 \u0441 \u0412\u0430\u0448\u0438\u043c \u043f\u0438\u0441\u044c\u043c\u043e\u0301\u043c (\u0437\u0430\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0301\u0441\u043e\u043c) \u043e\u0442<\/strong> + date – in accordance with your letter\/request of (date)…
\n\u0412\u043e \u0438\u0441\u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u0435 \u0412\u0430\u0301\u0448\u0435\u0433\u043e \u043f\u043e\u0440\u0443\u0447\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u044f \u043e\u0442<\/strong> + date + \u0434\u043e\u043a\u043b\u0430\u0301\u0434\u044b\u0432\u0430\u044e (\u0438\u043d\u0444\u043e\u0440\u043c\u0438\u0301\u0440\u0443\u044e, \u043d\u0430\u043f\u0440\u0430\u0432\u043b\u044f\u0301\u044e)<\/strong>\u2026 – in compliance with your request of (date), we are informing\/sending you…<\/p>\n

Informing<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

(\u041d\u0430\u0441\u0442\u043e\u044f\u0301\u0449\u0438\u043c) \u0441\u043e\u043e\u0431\u0449\u0430\u0301\u0435\u043c \u0412\u0430\u043c, \u0447\u0442\u043e<\/strong> \u00a0– we (hereby) inform you
\n\u0418\u043d\u0444\u043e\u0440\u043c\u0438\u0301\u0440\u0443\u044e \u0412\u0430\u0441, \u0447\u0442\u043e<\/strong>\u2026 – I inform you that
\n\u0421\u0442\u0430\u0301\u0432\u0438\u043c \u0412\u0430\u0441 \u0432 \u0438\u0437\u0432\u0435\u0301\u0441\u0442\u043d\u043e\u0441\u0442\u044c, \u0447\u0442\u043e –<\/strong> we inform you that
\n\u0418\u0437\u0432\u0435\u0449\u0430\u0301\u0435\u043c \u0412\u0430\u0441, \u0447\u0442\u043e<\/strong> – we inform you that
\n\u0423\u0432\u0435\u0434\u043e\u043c\u043b\u044f\u0301\u0435\u043c \u0412\u0430\u0441<\/strong> – we inform you<\/p>\n

Expressing Gratitude<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u0411\u043b\u0430\u0433\u043e\u0434\u0430\u0440\u0438\u0301\u043c \u0412\u0430\u0441 \u0437\u0430<\/strong> + noun in accusative – thank you for
\n\u0417\u0430\u0440\u0430\u0301\u043d\u0435\u0435 \u0431\u043b\u0430\u0433\u043e\u0434\u0430\u0440\u0438\u0301\u043c \u0437\u0430<\/strong>… – thank you in advance for
\n\u041c\u044b \u0431\u044b\u0301\u043b\u0438 \u0431\u044b \u0412\u0430\u043c \u043e\u0301\u0447\u0435\u043d\u044c \u043f\u0440\u0438\u0437\u043d\u0430\u0301\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u043d\u044b, \u0435\u0301\u0441\u043b\u0438 \u0431\u044b \u0412\u044b<\/strong> + noun in the “past” tense (it’s technically the subjunctive) – we would be grateful if you…<\/p>\n

Apologizing<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u041f\u043e\u0436\u0430\u0301\u043b\u0443\u0439\u0441\u0442\u0430, \u043f\u0440\u0438\u043c\u0438\u0301\u0442\u0435 \u043d\u0430\u0301\u0448\u0438 \u0438\u0437\u0432\u0438\u043d\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u044f \u0437\u0430<\/strong> + accusative – please accept our apologies for
\n\u0418\u0437\u0432\u0438\u043d\u0438\u0301\u0442\u0435 \u0437\u0430 \u0437\u0430\u0434\u0435\u0301\u0440\u0436\u043a\u0443 \u043e\u0442\u0432\u0435\u0301\u0442\u0430<\/strong> – Sorry for the delayed response<\/p>\n

Requests<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u041f\u0440\u043e\u0301\u0441\u0438\u043c (\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0435\u0301\u0440\u0438\u0442\u044c, \u043d\u0430\u043f\u0440\u0430\u0301\u0432\u0438\u0442\u044c, \u0432\u044b\u0301\u0441\u043b\u0430\u0442\u044c, \u043f\u0440\u0438\u043d\u044f\u0301\u0442\u044c \u043c\u0435\u0301\u0440\u044b)<\/strong>… – we request (that you verify, provide, send, take measures)
\n\u0423\u0431\u0435\u0434\u0438\u0301\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u043d\u043e \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0301\u0441\u0438\u043c<\/strong> – we kindly ask
\n\u041e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0449\u0430\u0301\u0435\u043c\u0441\u044f \u043a \u0412\u0430\u043c \u0441 \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0301\u0441\u044c\u0431\u043e\u0439<\/strong> + verb – we ask you (to do something)<\/p>\n

Linking phrases<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u0412 \u0441\u0432\u044f\u0437\u0438\u0301 \u0441… (\u0442\u044f\u0436\u0451\u043b\u044b\u043c \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0436\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u0435\u043c, \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0435\u0434\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u0435\u043c \u0441\u043e\u0432\u043c\u0435\u0301\u0441\u0442\u043d\u044b\u0445 \u0440\u0430\u0431\u043e\u0301\u0442)<\/strong>… – due to\/in connection with (the difficult situation, our collaboration…)
\n\u0412 \u0441\u043e\u043e\u0442\u0432\u0435\u0301\u0442\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0438\u0438 \u0441 (\u043f\u0438\u0441\u044c\u043c\u043e\u0301\u043c, \u0434\u043e\u043a\u0443\u043c\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0442\u043e\u043c, \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0442\u043e\u043a\u043e\u0301\u043b\u043e\u043c)<\/strong>… – according to (the letter, document, protocol)
\n\u0412 \u043f\u043e\u0440\u044f\u0301\u0434\u043a\u0435 \u043e\u043a\u0430\u0437\u0430\u0301\u043d\u0438\u044f (\u043f\u043e\u0301\u043c\u043e\u0449\u0438, \u043f\u043e\u0434\u0434\u0435\u0301\u0440\u0436\u043a\u0438)<\/strong>… – in order to provide help\/support
\n\u0412 \u0446\u0435\u0301\u043b\u044f\u0445 (\u0443\u0441\u0438\u043b\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u044f \u043a\u043e\u043d\u0442\u0440\u043e\u0301\u043b\u044f, \u0440\u0430\u0441\u0448\u0438\u0440\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u044f \u0432\u043e\u0437\u043c\u043e\u0301\u0436\u043d\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0435\u0439<\/strong>)… – in order to (increase oversight, expand our capacities, etc.)
\n\u0412 \u043f\u043e\u0434\u0442\u0432\u0435\u0440\u0436\u0434\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u0435 (\u043d\u0430\u0301\u0448\u0435\u0439 \u0434\u043e\u0433\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0440\u0451\u043d\u043d\u043e\u0441\u0442\u0438, \u043d\u0430\u0301\u0448\u0435\u0433\u043e \u0442\u0435\u043b\u0435\u0444\u043e\u0301\u043d\u043d\u043e\u0433\u043e \u0440\u0430\u0437\u0433\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0301\u0440\u0430)<\/strong>… – to confirm (our agreement, our phone conversation)
\n\u041d\u0430 \u043e\u0441\u043d\u043e\u0432\u0430\u0301\u043d\u0438\u0438 (\u043f\u043e\u0434\u043f\u0438\u0301\u0441\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u0433\u043e \u0441\u043e\u0433\u043b\u0430\u0448\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u044f, \u043f\u0440\u0438\u0301\u043d\u044f\u0442\u043e\u0433\u043e \u043e\u0431\u044f\u0437\u0430\u0301\u0442\u0435\u043b\u044c\u0441\u0442\u0432\u0430<\/strong>)… – based on (the signed agreement, the undertaken commitment)<\/p>\n

Reminders<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u041d\u0430\u043f\u043e\u043c\u0438\u043d\u0430\u0301\u0435\u043c, \u0447\u0442\u043e<\/strong>… – we remind you that<\/p>\n

Suggestions<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u041f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u043b\u0430\u0433\u0430\u0301\u0435\u043c \u0412\u0430\u043c (\u043f\u0440\u0438\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0438\u0301, \u0440\u0430\u0441\u0441\u043c\u043e\u0442\u0440\u0435\u0301\u0442\u044c, \u0443\u0442\u0432\u0435\u0440\u0434\u0438\u0301\u0442\u044c)<\/strong>… – we suggest you (purchase, consider, approve…)
\n\u041f\u0440\u043e\u0301\u0441\u0438\u043c \u043f\u0440\u0438\u043d\u044f\u0301\u0442\u044c \u0443\u0447\u0430\u0301\u0441\u0442\u0438\u0435 \u0432 (\u043e\u0431\u0441\u0443\u0436\u0434\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u0438 \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0435\u0301\u043a\u0442\u0430, \u0440\u0430\u0441\u0441\u043c\u043e\u0442\u0440\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u0438 \u0432\u043e\u043f\u0440\u043e\u0301\u0441\u0430 \u043e…)<\/strong> – we invite you to take part in (discussing the project, considering the matter of, etc.)<\/p>\n

Rejection<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u0412\u0430\u0301\u0448\u0435 \u043f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u043b\u043e\u0436\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u0435 \u043e\u0442\u043a\u043b\u043e\u043d\u0435\u043d\u043e\u0301 \u043f\u043e \u0441\u043b\u0435\u0301\u0434\u0443\u044e\u0449\u0438\u043c \u043f\u0440\u0438\u0447\u0438\u0301\u043d\u0430\u043c:…<\/strong> – your offer was turned down for the following reasons<\/p>\n

Signature<\/h2>\n

The standard phrase for closing the letter is \u0421 \u0443\u0432\u0430\u0436\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u0435\u043c<\/strong>, followed by a comma. That is followed by a signature and a typed name. Other set phrases may be used for the closing line.<\/p>\n

\u0411\u043b\u0430\u0433\u043e\u0434\u0430\u0440\u044e\u0301<\/strong> – thank you
\n\u0416\u0435\u043b\u0430\u0301\u0435\u043c \u0443\u0441\u043f\u0435\u0301\u0445\u043e\u0432<\/strong> – best wishes
\n\u041f\u0440\u0438\u043d\u043e\u0301\u0441\u0438\u043c \u0438\u0437\u0432\u0438\u043d\u0435\u0301\u043d\u0438\u044f<\/strong> – our apologies<\/p>\n

Have you had to write or read a business letter in Russian? Which of the elements did it have?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Perhaps some of our readers are learning Russian for more than personal enrichment. Some may want to study, work, or do business in Russia. If that’s the case, you need more that a few conversational phrases, and being familiar with and being able to write a business letter (\u0434\u0435\u043b\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0301\u0435 \u043f\u0438\u0441\u044c\u043c\u043e\u0301) may come in handy…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[349613,60719,2642],"class_list":["post-8076","post","type-post","status-publish","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-business-vocabulary","tag-doing-business-in-russia","tag-writing"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8076","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/113"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8076"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8076\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11021,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8076\/revisions\/11021"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8076"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8076"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/russian\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}