It's especially important when applying for jobs online, as you want to make a good first impression.

你如果是透過網路應徵工作且想留下良好第一印象的話，這點尤其重要。

Here are some simple tips to help you with both formal and informal messages.

以下是幾個關於撰寫正式及非正式信件的小技巧。

Before you begin writing your email, consider whether you know the reader or not.

在開始寫信之前，先想想你跟收信者的交情如何。

When you don't know the reader well or you want to be polite, it's best to be formal.

當你跟收信者不太熟，或是你想表現得有禮貌的時候，最好寫得正式一點。

For example, business emails, job applications, and emails to big companies.

舉例來說，商業信件、求職信件或是寄給大公司的信件。

If you know the reader well and it's not a business context, you can use informal language.

如果你跟收信者很熟，而且也跟商業無關，那麼你就可以使用非正式用語。

You would probably be informal if you were sending a birthday message to a friend, for example.

好比傳送生日祝福給朋友時，你可能就不會想要使用太正式的用語。

Of course, the formality of the situation may depend on the country or culture you're in.

不過，可能因國家文化的不同，各種場合的正式程度也會有所差異。

It's a good idea to get familiar with that culture before deciding how formal or informal you want to be.

因此，在決定要寫正式或非正式信件之前，最好先了解當地文化。

A formal email in the UK will usually begin with a formal starting phrase, such as "Dear Mr. Piper," or "Dear Sir or Madam," if you don't know the name of the reader.

在英國，如果要寫一封正式信件給不熟的人，通常會以 Dear Mr. Piper, 或是 Dear Sir or Madam ,作為開頭。

You should also use an appropriate formal ending phrase, such as "Yours sincerely," when you know the reader, or "Yours faithfully," when you don't.

信件的結尾也需使用正式問候語，例如：認識收件者時，可以使用 Yours sincerely,，不認識的話，可以使用 Yours faithfully,。

You can use more casual phrases in an informal email.

若要寫一封非正式的信件的話，用詞就不需要這麼拘謹。

If you're sending a message to a friend or family member, you might begin with a simple "Hi," or "Hello," and finish with "Thanks," "See you soon," or "Cheers,".

當收件者是家人朋友時，你可以直接以 Hi, 或 Hello, 作為開頭，結尾也可以直接使用 Thanks,、See you soon, 或 Cheers,。

It is conventional to use a comma and start a new line after any opening and closing phrases.

另外，在信件開頭和結尾問候語後面通常會加上逗號，再另起一行。

This is true whether you are being formal or informal.

無論是正式或非正式信件，這個特點都是一樣的。

You should also be careful using slang phrases or emojis, as these are very informal.

要注意俚語或是表情符號都是非常不正式的。

For example, you should never use a smiley face in a job application, even if you want to show that you are a very friendly person.

好比說，在求職信件中，就算你想要表現出友善的態度，也絕對不能使用笑臉符號。

You should also avoid typing in all capitals, as it looks like you're shouting.

另外，也要避免用大寫來撰寫內容，不然看起來會像是在大吼。

YOU WOULDN'T TALK LIKE THIS IN AN OFFICE, so why do it in an email?

你在辦公室不會這樣大吼，那麼理所當然地，在信件內也不應該如此。

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