1、外貿(mào)函電Fundamentals of Writing English Business Letters英文商務信函寫作的基本知識 1.1 Introduction（簡介） 目的：掌握商務信函的寫作要求、寫作原則、以及信封和信函的基本構(gòu)成和行文要求。1.2 Requirements for Business Letter Writers（商務信函的寫作要求）要寫就一封成功的商務信函，需要起草人具備以下條件：（1）精通英語（Good command of English）（2）通曉外貿(mào)理論和實務（Knowledge of business theory and practice）（3）通曉術(shù)語（

2、Knowledge of technical terms）（4）通曉人的心理（Knowledge of psychology）（5）熟悉推銷藝術(shù)（Skills in salesmanship）1.3 Seven Guidelines of Writing English Business Letters（英文商務信函寫作七原則）“7C原則”，即清楚、簡潔、正確、具體、禮貌、體諒和完整。1. 清楚（Clarity） 商務信函應使讀者一目了然，沒有艱澀難懂或產(chǎn)生誤會之處。2. 簡潔（Conciseness）言簡意賅地表達所需表達的意思，同時又無損于書信的完整和禮貌。3. 正確（Correctnes

3、s）正確的商務信函不僅表現(xiàn)為語法恰當，標點符號和詞匯拼寫正確，還要求敘述正確、提供的事實和數(shù)字無誤、寫作格式規(guī)范、技巧運用恰當以及商業(yè)術(shù)語正確。4. 具體（Concreteness） 商務信函必須避免采用模糊、大概和抽象的詞語和語句，應盡量運用具體的事實和數(shù)字，一般使用主動語態(tài)來陳述內(nèi)容。5. 禮貌（Courtesy）在商務信函的寫作過程中，及時是禮貌之首。此外，應避免使用可能激怒、傷害對方的言辭或語氣，語調(diào)上要盡可能站在客戶的立場上做到互惠互利。6. 體諒（Consideration）發(fā)信人應盡可能從收信人的立場來考慮問題，在分析對方會如何理解信息的基礎上，提供其所需要的信息。7. 完整（C

4、ompleteness） 商務信函必須力求完整，要包括寫信人希望收信人做出積極反應的一切情況，或是回答來信所提出的全部問題和要求。1.4 Addressing Envelopes（信封的寫法） 在寄往國外信函的信封上，收信人和收信人地址以及寄信人和寄信人地址的書寫位置，都不同于國內(nèi)信封的寫法，見圖1-1。圖1-1 寄往國外信函的信封寫法General Trading Co.28 North RoadBeijing 100020P. R. China Overseas Trading Co. 52 Hooigracht Street Amsterdam, the Netherlands注意事項：

5、（1）寄信人姓名和地址應寫在信封的左上角，且務必與封內(nèi)地址在形式和標點上一致。（2）收信人姓名和地址寫在信封中下偏右的位置，收信人的姓名和國名須分行書寫。（3）寄信人和收信人的姓名和地址的書寫順序是：先寫姓名后寫地址。地址的書寫應由小至大，先寫機構(gòu)名稱，再依次寫門牌、街道、城市、州/省及郵政編碼，最后書寫國名。（4）關(guān)于信件類別、投遞方式及其他事項說明，寫在信封左邊寄信人地址下，或?qū)懺谧笙陆?。如懷疑信件能否送交收信人，可在信封最下邊標明：IF UNDELIVERED PLEASE RETURN TO XXX，即：如無法投遞，請退交XXX。1.5 Parts of English Busines

6、s Letters（英文商務信函的組成部分） 1. 信頭（Letter head） 信頭也稱為信箋抬頭，由寄信人公司名稱、地址、電話號碼、E-mail地址和傳真構(gòu)成。信頭通常位于信紙的最上端。2. 日期（Date）日期頂邊寫在信紙的左邊或右邊，距離信頭三到四行。注意事項：（1）年份必須全部寫出。（2）月份最好用英文全拼，不提倡用縮略式。（3）日期可以用序數(shù)詞或基數(shù)詞。（4）年份前要加逗號。（5）日期切忌全部用數(shù)字表示。3. 信函編號（Reference number） 給信函編號是為了便于往來書信的存擋和查閱，一般采用Your Ref.（你方編號）或Our Ref.（我方編號）。信函編號通常放

7、在日期的上方或與日期平齊靠左的位置，打上如下字樣：Your Ref.：Our Ref.：4. 信內(nèi)地址（Inside address）信內(nèi)地址包括收信人的姓名、頭銜、單位名稱、營業(yè)地址以及城市、國家名稱和郵政編碼。收信人的姓名和地址應和信封上的內(nèi)容相同。信內(nèi)地址一般在信紙左上角低于日期的地方。書寫順序是由小單位到大單位。每項內(nèi)容單獨成行： Mr. Francis Lawrence Vice President Swinton Co. 87 Unico Avenue Toronto, ST 9878 Canada5. 稱呼（Salutation）稱呼寫在信內(nèi)地址下面空兩行處。常見的正式稱呼有：D

8、ear Mr. Smith，Dear Mrs. Smith，Dear Miss Brown，Dear Ms. White。如果稱呼多個男性，則在姓名前用Mr.的復數(shù)形式Messrs。Mrs.沒有復數(shù)形式，如果稱呼多個女性，則在姓名前用Mmes.，如Mmes. White and Gray。 寫信給一家公司時，通常用Dear Sirs，也可以用Gentlemen。6. 事由（Subject） 事由是為對方在閱讀信的正文以前對信的主題、內(nèi)容有一個了解，也便于登記歸檔和查卷。寫在稱呼下面、信的中間位置。事由下面可以劃線，也可以不劃線，有時可全部用大寫字體。例如：Subject：Mens Bicycl

9、esRe：Sales Confirmation No.2536Your Order No.：Reference： 7. 信函正文（Body of the letter） 信函正文是商務信函中最重要的部分，要遵循“7C原則”。正文一般遵循三段式的格式。第一段一般是引入主題，第二段詳細討論，第三段以總結(jié)或建議來結(jié)束全文。需兩頁或更多的信紙時，在前一頁最后一行的右邊寫上to be continued。續(xù)頁應采用不帶信頭的信紙，并注明收信人名稱、頁數(shù)和日期。如：Mr. John Smith, Page 2, June 3, 20058. 信尾客套語（Complimentary close） 信尾客套語

10、是一種禮貌，是結(jié)束信函的正式方式，類似中文信函中的“此致，敬禮”等。常用的有：Sincerely, Sincerely yours, Yours sincerely, Best regards；更親切一點的有：Cordially, Cordially yours；再正式一些的有：Yours truly, Respectfully yours, Yours faithfully。注意，只有第一個字母大寫。一般打印在正文下面空一行處。9. 簽名（Signature） 簽名通常在信尾客套語下空三行的位置。簽名可采用不同寫法，一般包括：公司名稱、寫信人的手寫簽名、寫信人的打印簽名、寫信人的頭銜。有時，

11、也可以不寫公司名稱。例如：Yours truly,General Trading Co.（Signature）John SmithSales Manager10. 經(jīng)辦人代號（Reference notation） 經(jīng)辦人代號是提供信件產(chǎn)生的信息資料，便于必要時查對之用。經(jīng)辦人代號是由信件口授者和秘書的姓名首字母組成，用冒號或斜線號分開，可用以下方式書寫：FCM/HL，F(xiàn)CM:HL，F(xiàn)CM/hl，fcm:hl11. 附件（Enclosure）假如信封內(nèi)除信紙外，尚附有其他文件，可以在信中說明附件份數(shù)和內(nèi)容。當附件只有一件時，注明Enclosure 或Encl.即可；一件以上時，要加上編碼，以便

12、收信人識別，用Enclosures.說明。例如：Enclosures 3: 1.Birth Certificate2.Visa3.Letter of Reference12. 抄送（Carbon copy/C.C.） 發(fā)信人若需把此信抄送給有關(guān)單位，可在附件下方即信左下端打上C.C.，然后打上抄送單位的名稱，例如：C.C.: The Bank of ChinaCopies to: directorsCc to: CEOCopy to: Sales Manager13. 附筆（Postscript/ P.S.） 若寫完信后還須附加項目時，就需補述，這類似于中文信中的附言。有時并非真正將忘了寫的事

13、情補上，而是故意引起對方的注意。附筆被放在抄送下方。在寫完P(guān).S.之后，有時也把簽字人姓名的首字母縮寫附在最后。1.6 The Opening and Conclusion of English Business Letters（英文商務信函的開頭和結(jié)尾）信函的開頭應該直入主題，要避免空洞。根據(jù)書寫商務信函的目的不同，開頭一般分為兩大類：一是回復信件；二是主動與對方聯(lián)系。對于回復信件，可采用以下方式開頭。1. 英文商務信函的開頭（1）感謝對方的來信 We thank you for your letter (inquiry, telex, e-mail, fax etc.) of Thank

14、you for We appreciate We were pleased to receive Please accept our thanks for （2）對來信進行回復We are pleased to reply to your letter (inquiry, telex, e-mail, fax etc.) of In answer to In response to In reply to （3）回復來信中的有關(guān)問題With reference to your letter (inquiry, telex, e-mail, fax etc.) ofIn reference to

15、 Referring to We refer to （4）回復來信中提出的要求或指示As requested in your letter of As required As instructed According to the request/ instruction In accordance with In compliance with In conformity with （5）表達滿意和欣喜We were gratified to learn from your letter of thatWe were glad It was a pleasure（6）表達遺憾和驚訝We re

16、gret to learn from your letter of that We were sorry We were surprised 對于主動和對方聯(lián)系的商務信函，可以用以下方式開頭。Your company has been recommended to us by We have learnt from that The name of your reputable firm has come to us throughWe have had your name and address given to us by （1）通過別人的介紹了解到對方（2）對以前信函的補充或確認Furt

17、her to our letter of 對我方某月某日的信函補充如下 With further reference to our letter of Confirming our letter/conversation of 我方確認某月某日的信函/會談We confirm that out letter of and 我方確認某日信函并 With further reference to 對進一步補充如下 （3）通知對方一些情況This letter is to inform you that We are pleased We have the honor We have the ple

18、asure informing you that 茲榮幸地通知貴方 We regret to inform you that 我們遺憾地通知貴方 2. 英文商務信函的結(jié)尾 商務信函的結(jié)尾應該簡潔、中肯，與寫信的主旨相符。根據(jù)是否需要對方回復把結(jié)尾分為兩類。對于期待對方回復的信件，可以用以下的方式結(jié)尾。We shall be glad to have a/an/your reply (answer, favorable news, comment etc.)We hope to be favored with We shall be obliged for We are waiting for

19、We shall appreciate We look forward to 對于期待對方回復的信件，可以用以下的方式結(jié)尾。We trust to hear from you about/concerning/in this respect/in this matter.We hope to hear We shall be glad to hear Please let us hear Will you let us hear 對于無須對方答復的信函，可以用以下兩種方式結(jié)尾：（1）表達感謝或希望繼續(xù)合作的意愿We thank you for the services you rendered

20、 in this matter. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We appreciate your patronage and hope that the pleasant relationship established between us will continue. Your favorable cooperation will be greatly appreciated. （2）表達歉意We apologize for the delay in replying to your letter. We regret the

21、 trouble we are causing you. Please accept our apology for the inconvenience we have caused you.We regret that we are unable to be of assistance to you.We regret that we cant meet your requirements.1.7 Useful Sentences in Common Business Letters（一般商務信函中的實用語句）1. 回信We are offering a sound article at p

22、opular price, and we should appreciate an opportunity to substantiate our claims. In answer to your favor of the 8th June, we inform you that we are unable to take the goods offered by you.In answer to your inquiry for bran, we offer you 40 tons of the same.2. 收訖We acknowledge receipt of your letter

23、 of yesterday, and gratefully accept the appointment on the terms you mention. We acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 15th inst.Kindly acknowledge receipt, and have the goods sent by the last steamer in December.We duly received your favor of the 25th June, contents of which we note with thank

24、s.3. 通知We inform you that I have now removed my factory to the above address. Having established ourselves in this city, as merchants and general agents, we take the liberty of acquainting you of it, and solicit the preference of your order. We are pleased to inform you that our business will be tur

25、ned into a limited company on the 1st August.4. 確認In confirmation of my cable today, I regret to state that the factory was completely destroyed by fire last night. We confirm our call of last week respecting our offers to you.We confirm our respects of the 3rd June, and inform you that your consign

26、ment has duly arrived. Confirming our letter of last week, we ask you to appoint an early interview with our representative.5. 愉快欣慰We have the pleasure to inform you that we will forward by tomorrows mail to the Bank five bonds of USD500 each. We have the pleasure of enclosing herewith the documents

27、. We have pleasure in enclosing herewith a Bill of Lading covering 50 bales of cotton.6. 附函We enclose for realization drafts as per the list at foot. Enclosed please find the invoice of 80 bales wool bought by your order. Enclosed please find three orders for immediate attention.An order form is enc

28、losed. Fill it out and attach your check.7. 迅即Kindly see the empty sacks are returned as promptly as possible. The goods were at once dispatched by rail to your address.Please give us forwarding instructions promptly.Please deliver these goods with all speed to the London dock.8. 依照、關(guān)于In accordance

29、with your letter of yesterday, I am sending tonight 15 cases of whisky. Referring to our conversation of this morning, we enclose a pamphlet describing our new articles.With reference to your letter of the 16th inst., we are glad to inform you that there has been a great demand for the articles.9. 期

30、滿、到期The steamer will be due in Yokohama on the morning of the 15th May. I received in due course your letter of the 28th June. We have duly received your valued favor of the 16th May.10. 抱歉、遺憾We are sorry to learn from your letter of the 10th June that your customer is still dissatisfied with the co

31、ndition. We are sorry that we have taken the liberty in writing you prematurely on the subject. I am regretted to have to inform you that two cases of them are so bad in quality.11. 榮幸We feel specially honored to be given this opportunity to meet such a nice group of distinguished people like you. T

32、oday, we feel very much honored to have Prof. Wilson with us.12. 感謝We take this opportunity to thank our patrons and friends for the liberal support extended to us during our business career. We appreciate your telling us about the defective sets, and are glad to make things right. While thanking yo

33、u for your valued support, I wish to ask for a continuance of your confidence in the new company.13. 提供服務We wish to assure you that we appreciate an opportunity afforded us for service. In the meantime, please be assured of our most cordial good wishes and of our desire to be of service. We thank yo

34、u for the opportunity to be of service to you. We are always pleased to serve you at any time.14. 希望、愿望We hope to hear from you favorably.We hope that you will give this matter prompt attention. We hope this action will meet with your approval.15. 留意簽名We would ask you kindly to note our respective signatures given below. I request your attention to his signature, appended below.16. 誠請回信Then send back the postcard and well g