In Erwartung Ihrer Antwort Verbleibe Ich Mit Freundlichen Grüßen Englisch

Ah, Germany! Land of fairytale castles, hearty cuisine, and… potentially confusing email closings? If you're planning a trip or even a longer stay in Germany, mastering a few common phrases can really smooth your interactions. And one you're likely to encounter, especially in more formal correspondence, is "In Erwartung Ihrer Antwort verbleibe ich mit freundlichen Grüßen." Let's break down what this means and how to navigate it, along with some more casual alternatives.

Decoding "In Erwartung Ihrer Antwort verbleibe ich mit freundlichen Grüßen"

This phrase translates literally to something like "Awaiting your reply, I remain with friendly greetings." It's a very polite, slightly formal way to end an email or letter. While perfectly acceptable, it's worth understanding its nuance and when it's most appropriate.

Breaking it Down:

• In Erwartung Ihrer Antwort: "Awaiting your reply." This indicates you're expecting a response from the recipient.
• Verbleibe ich: "I remain." This is the verb "verbleiben" in the first-person singular form. It's a somewhat antiquated phrasing in spoken German, but perfectly standard in written communication.
• Mit freundlichen Grüßen: "With friendly greetings." This is the standard, all-purpose closing salutation in German. It's equivalent to "Sincerely" or "Best regards" in English.

So, the whole phrase essentially says, "I'm waiting for your answer, and in the meantime, I send you my best wishes."

When to Use It:

This closing is best suited for situations where you're writing to someone you don't know well, or where a degree of formality is expected. Think:

• Contacting a government office
• Writing to a potential landlord
• Enquiring about a service
• Submitting a formal complaint
• Corresponding with a professor or academic institution

Essentially, if you're not sure, it's always better to err on the side of formality. This phrase shows respect and professionalism. Imagine writing to a hotel to confirm your reservation. Using this phrase would be perfectly appropriate.

The English Equivalent:

There isn't a perfect, one-to-one English translation. The closest equivalents would be:

• "Awaiting your response, I remain with best regards." (Slightly formal)
• "Looking forward to hearing from you, best regards." (Slightly less formal, but acceptable)
• "Sincerely," (Acceptable, but doesn't include the "awaiting your response" element)

However, directly translating "In Erwartung Ihrer Antwort verbleibe ich mit freundlichen Grüßen" can sound a bit stiff and old-fashioned in English. So, using one of the options above is preferable.

Beyond the Formal: More Casual Closings

While "In Erwartung Ihrer Antwort verbleibe ich mit freundlichen Grüßen" is useful to know, it's not always necessary. In many situations, a more relaxed and friendly closing is perfectly acceptable, and often preferred, especially if you're corresponding with someone you know, or in a more informal context. Here are some alternatives:

Standard Alternatives:

• Mit freundlichen Grüßen: As mentioned before, this alone is a perfectly acceptable and versatile closing. It works in almost any situation.
• Freundliche Grüße: A slightly shorter and less formal version of "Mit freundlichen Grüßen."

More Casual Options:

• Viele Grüße: "Many greetings." This is a friendly and widely used option. It's suitable for most everyday emails.
• Liebe Grüße: "Love greetings." Use this with friends, family, and people you know well.
• Beste Grüße: "Best greetings." A good option for colleagues and acquaintances.
• Schöne Grüße: "Nice greetings." Similar to "Beste Grüße," but perhaps slightly more personal.
• Bis bald!: "See you soon!" If you know you'll be seeing the person in the near future.
• Tschüss!: "Bye!" Very informal, suitable for close friends. (More common in spoken language).

Adding a Personal Touch:

You can also personalize your closing to make it even more friendly. For example:

• Ich freue mich darauf, von Ihnen zu hören. Mit freundlichen Grüßen: "I look forward to hearing from you. With friendly greetings."
• Vielen Dank im Voraus! Mit freundlichen Grüßen: "Thank you in advance! With friendly greetings."
• Ich wünsche Ihnen einen schönen Tag! Freundliche Grüße: "I wish you a nice day! Friendly greetings."

Key Takeaways for Visitors:

• When in doubt, be polite: If you're unsure, "In Erwartung Ihrer Antwort verbleibe ich mit freundlichen Grüßen" or simply "Mit freundlichen Grüßen" is a safe bet.
• Consider the context: Think about your relationship with the recipient and the purpose of your communication.
• Observe and learn: Pay attention to how Germans close their emails and letters. You'll quickly get a feel for what's appropriate.
• Don't be afraid to ask: If you're really unsure, ask a German friend or colleague for advice.
• Relax and enjoy: Germans are generally very understanding of foreigners who are learning the language. Don't stress too much about getting it perfect.

Email Example: Requesting Information from a Tourist Office

Let's say you're writing to a tourist office in Berlin to ask about opening hours:

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

ich plane einen Besuch in Berlin im nächsten Monat und interessiere mich für die Öffnungszeiten des Brandenburger Tors. Könnten Sie mir bitte mitteilen, wann das Brandenburger Tor für Besucher geöffnet ist?

Vielen Dank im Voraus für Ihre Hilfe.

In Erwartung Ihrer Antwort verbleibe ich mit freundlichen Grüßen,

[Your Name]

In this case, "In Erwartung Ihrer Antwort verbleibe ich mit freundlichen Grüßen" is perfectly appropriate. You're writing to a formal institution requesting information.

Email Example: Confirming a Reservation at a Restaurant

Now, let's say you're confirming a restaurant reservation you made over the phone:

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

hiermit bestätige ich meine Reservierung für [Date] um [Time] für [Number] Personen. Der Name der Reservierung lautet [Your Name].

Vielen Dank und bis bald!

[Your Name]

Here, "Bis bald!" is a fine, friendly closing since you spoke on the phone, establishing a minor connection. "Mit freundlichen Grüßen" would also be acceptable.

By understanding the nuances of German email closings, you'll not only communicate more effectively but also show respect for German culture and customs. Have a wonderful time in Germany!