Structuring letters in Arabic is quite similar to English. However, in this article I will provide a clear overview of the format for your ease of understanding. But I want you to put your primary focus on the specific expressions used in Arabic correspondence (I will mention them in Arabic, translation, and transliteration). Pay close attention to how these expressions are employed, and consider memorizing some for your own writing, so you’ll have the confidence to write in Arabic with the structure and tone expected.

Now, just like in English again, there are different styles of writing depending on who you’re addressing in Arabic, so we mainly distinguish between two types: رسمي (rasmi) which means “formal” and غير رسمي (ghair rasmi) meaning “informal.” Let’s see the details of each one.

How to Write a Formal Letter in Arabic (الخطابات الرسمية)

If you need to write to your university professor or a government official for example, them this requires a formal tone and structure. To write a formal letter in Arabic, start with the الترويسة (header) including the recipient’s title, your name, date, and subject. Address the recipient respectfully, using titles like حضرة القاضي (The Honorable Judge) or صاحب السمو (His Royal Highness). 

Follow with a polite greeting such as السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته (Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you). In the body, use formal expressions like يسرني أن أبعث إليك (I am delighted to send you) and maintain a respectful tone. Conclude the letter with a closing like تفضلوا بقبول فائق الاحترام (Please accept my utmost respect), ending with والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته (Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you).

Here’s how we do it in Arabic:

Step 1: Write the Head of the Formal Arabic Letter (الترويسة)

Every Arabic letter begins with essential information, also known as “الترويسة” (al-tarweesah), which provides clarity to the recipient.

Here’s what you need to include:

1. “إلى” (To): Write the recipient’s name and title.
   • إلى السيد المدير
     (ʾilā as-sayyid al-mudīr)
     (To Mr. Manager)
     
2. “من” (From): Add your name and title.
   • من خالد سمير، معلم اللغة العربية
     (min Khalid Samir, Mu’alim allugha al-Arabiya)
     (From Khalid Samir, Arabic teacher)
     
3. “التاريخ” (Date): Include the day, month, and year.
   • ١٢/١١/٢٠٢٤
     (12/11/2024)
     
4. “موضوع الخطاب” (Subject): Summarize the purpose of the letter.
   • طلب إجازة
     (ṭalab ʾijāzah)
     (Leave Request)

Step 2: Craft the Content of the Formal Arabic Letter

Arabic letters are organized into structured sections:

1. Addressing the Recipient of the Formal Arabic Letter (العنوان)

Respect is central in Arabic communication. Start by addressing the recipient with their title and full name. If applicable, include their professional or academic standing.

حضرة القاضي محمد
(ḥaḍrat al-qāḍī Muḥammad)
(The Honorable Judge Muhammad)

فضيلة الشيخ عبد الله حفظه الله
(faḍīlat ash-shaykh ʿAbdullāh ḥafaẓahu Allāh)
(His Eminence Sheikh Abdullah, may Allah protect him)

If you’re addressing a royal figure, include formal expressions of honor:

صاحب السمو الملكي، حفظه الله ورعاه
(ṣāḥib as-sumū al-malakī, ḥafaẓahu Allāh wa-raʿāhu)
(His Royal Highness, may Allah protect and guide him)

When the recipient’s name is unknown:

حضرات السادة الكرام
(ḥaḍrat as-sādah al-kirām)
(To the esteemed individuals)

2. Opening of the Formal Arabic Letter (التحية والافتتاحية)

Start with a respectful and traditional greeting:

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته، تحية طيبة وبعد
(as-salāmu ʿalaykum wa-raḥmatullāhi wa-barakātuh, taḥiyyah ṭayyibah wa-baʿd)
(Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you. Warm greetings to follow)

This sets a respectful and positive tone.

3. Writing the Main Body of the Formal Arabic Letter (محتوى الخطاب)

The body of an Arabic letter is where you convey your message in a structured way. Write in clear paragraphs and use polite expressions to maintain a formal tone.

Key Phrases for Politeness:

يسرّني أن أبعث إليك بأطيب تحياتي وخالص أمنياتي بالسعادة والتوفيق
(yusirruni ʾan ʾabʿatha ʾilayka bi-ʾaṭyabi taḥiyyātī wa-khāliṣ ʾumniyātī bi-s-saʿādah wa-t-tawfīq)
(I am delighted to send you my warmest regards and sincere wishes for happiness and success.)

مع الاحترام الفائق أردت إخباركم أنّ
(maʿ al-iḥtirām al-fāʾiq ʾaradtu ʾikhbārakum ʾanna…)
(With great respect, I wanted to inform you that…)

يرجى قبول اعتذاري على الإزعاج
(yurjā qabūl iʿtidhārī ʿalā al-ʾizʿāj)
(Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience.)

Step 3: End of the Formal Arabic Letter (الخاتمة)

Conclude your letter with a polite closing statement that reinforces respect and appreciation.

تفضلوا بقبول فائق الاحترام والتقدير
(tafaḍḍalū bi-qabūl fāʾiq al-iḥtirām wa-t-taqdīr)
(Please accept my utmost respect and appreciation.)

شاكرين لكم حسن تعاونكم
(shākirīn lakum ḥusn taʿāwunikum)
(We thank you for your kind cooperation.)

You may also add:

والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
(wa-s-salāmu ʿalaykum wa-raḥmatullāhi wa-barakātuh)
(Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.)

Experience Kalimah Center Classes

Watch real excerpts from our live sessions at Kalimah Center and see how we bring learning to life. These clips highlight our interactive, student-centered teaching approach across all our courses—designed to keep learners engaged, motivated, and actively involved every step of the way.

How to Write an Informal Letter in Arabic?

Unlike formal letters, informal Arabic letters are conversational, whic open the door for warmth and personality.

1. Address the Recipient of the Informal Arabic Letter 

Begin with the person’s name, preceded by an affectionate term. For example:

• عزيزي خالد (ʿAzīzī Khālid) – My dear Khalid
• صديقي العزيز أحمد (Ṣadīqī al-ʿazīz Ahmad) – My dear friend Ahmad
• أختي الغالية فاطمة (Ukhtī al-ghāliya Fāṭimah) – My precious sister Fatimah

2. Start the Arabic letter with a Warm Greeting

The first few lines of an informal letter often involve asking about the recipient’s well-being and expressing wishes for their happiness. For example:

كيف حالك؟ أتمنى أن تكون بصحة جيدة وسعادة
(Kayfa ḥāluk? Atamannā an takūna biṣiḥḥa jayyida wa-saʿāda.)
How are you? I hope you are in good health and happiness.

You might also include prayers for their well-being, such as:

أسأل الله أن يحفظك ويرزقك الخير دائماً
(Asʾalu Allāh an yaḥfaẓaka wa yarzuqaka al-khayr dāʾiman.)
I ask Allah to protect you and always grant you goodness.

3. State the Purpose of the Arabic Letter

Once the pleasantries are complete, move to the purpose of your letter. Examples include:

أكتب هذه الرسالة لأشاركك أخباراً رائعة
(Aktub hādhihi al-risālah li-ushārikaka akhbāran rāʾiʿa.)
I am writing this letter to share wonderful news with you.

أفتقدك كثيراً وأردت أن أطمئن عليك
(Aftaqiduka kathīran wa-aradtu an aṭmaʾinna ʿalayk.)
I miss you greatly and wanted to write to check on you.

4. Share the Details and News

In this section, you can get creative and detailed. Share updates, recount memories, or express your thoughts. For example:

لقد تخرجت من الجامعة! كان يوماً مميزاً وحضره الأصدقاء والعائلة
(Laqad takharrajtu min al-jāmiʿa! Kāna yawman mumayyazan wa-ḥaḍarahu al-aṣdiqāʾ wa-al-ʿāʾila.)
I graduated from university! It was a special day attended by friends and family.

5. End the Arabic letter with a Friendly Closing

To conclude, use a warm and personal closing line. For example:

أتمنى أن أراك قريباً
(Atamannā an arāk qarīban.)
Translation: I hope to see you soon.

مع كل الحب والتقدير
(Maʿa kull al-ḥubb wa-al-taqdīr.)
Translation: With all love and appreciation.

Here are some other common options:

• مع السلامة (ma’a al-salama) – “Goodbye”
• أراك قريبًا (araak qariban) – “See you soon”
• مع حبي (ma’a hubbi) – “With love” (for close friends and family)
• أطيب التمنيات (atayyib al-tamanniyat) – “Best wishes”
• أرسل تحياتي إلى الجميع (arsal tahiyati ilaa al-jami’a) – “Send my regards to everyone.”

Inside Kalimah Center: Moments from Our Courses

Get a glimpse into the vibrant learning experience at Kalimah Center. These snapshots capture real moments from our live classes—where students engage deeply, connect with passionate instructors, and grow in a welcoming, supportive environment.

Here Are The Reviews On Our Courses:

Our students frequently commend the excellence of our courses and the commitment shown by our instructors. You can read their complete reviews on Trustpilot.

Learn to Write Arabic Letters at Kalimah Center

At Kalimah Center, we specialize in teaching Arabic with a structured approach. Our online Arabic courses help you writing Arabic letters, from basic greetings to professional correspondence. 

You’ll get lots of opportunities to practice writing letters and words.

Our teachers will help you improve your handwriting also.

With expert native instructors and personalized feedback, students have praised Kalimah for making Arabic accessible and enjoyable.

📚 Explore Our Courses:

Online Arabic Course: Tailored to your level, our comprehensive Arabic program includes 16 teaching levels and 400+ hours of personalized sessions.

Online Quran With Tajweed Course: Perfect for non-Arabic speakers, our course spans 13 levels and equips you with Tajweed mastery from beginner to advanced.

Online Arabic Course For Kids: Nurture your child’s love for Arabic with our engaging and structured program, available in 24 levels for primary, intermediate, and secondary stages.

🚀 Start Your Free Trial Today! 🚀

Don’t miss out on this life-changing opportunity to deepen your faith and knowledge. Sign up now for your free trial and take the first step towards becoming a better practicing Muslim with Kalimah Center!

Join us for a FREE trial class and learn Arabic with the confidence of a native speaker!

Conclusion:

Writing a letter in Arabic requires attention to tone and structure, with distinctions between formal and informal styles. For formal letters, the process begins with الترويسة (the header), which includes the recipient’s title, your name, date, and subject. After addressing the recipient with appropriate respect, such as حضرة القاضي (The Honorable Judge), the letter opens with a polite greeting like السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته (Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you).

The body is composed of formal expressions to convey your message respectfully, concluding with a formal closing like تفضلوا بقبول فائق الاحترام (Please accept my utmost respect). In contrast, informal letters are more conversational, with affectionate terms like عزيزي (My dear) and more personal greetings and well-wishes, such as أسأل الله أن يحفظك (I ask Allah to protect you).

The informal style allows for warmth and personality, where the writer often inquires about the recipient’s well-being and shares personal news. For instance, you may start with كيف حالك؟ (How are you?) and proceed with news like لقد تخرجت من الجامعة! (I graduated from university!). Informal closings reflect this friendly tone, using phrases like مع حبي (With love) or أراك قريبًا (See you soon). 

FAQs about How To Write A Letter In Arabic?