Thread: How to address someone in an email

I want to write an email to my teacher. I have good relations with the teacher - albeit professional.

Can I say Дорогая firstname patronymic ?

I don't want to sound too personal/affectionate. But at the same time I want to sound concerned. (She is unwell). Уважаемая sounds too formal.

Thanks

Originally Posted by justinwyllie

Can I say Дорогая firstname patronymic ?

Yes, you can. But it would sound too English and bombastic IMO. Skip both дорогая and уважаемая. Just write firstname patronymic, like the following examples: Здравствуйте, Вероника Аристарховна or Василиса Мифодиевна, как ваше самочуствие? etc. It will be both polite and neutral.