Atentament

Atentament is a formal valediction used in Catalan-language correspondence to convey respect and attentiveness. It is placed at the end of a letter or email, after the body and before the signature. The term means “in an attentive manner” and is derived from the adjective atent, meaning attentive. In Catalan, Atentament functions similarly to English “Yours sincerely” or “Sincerely,” and is appropriate for formal, administrative, and business communications. It is less common in informal messages, where closings such as Cordialment or Salutacions may be preferred.

Variants and related closings vary by context. In addition to Atentament, Catalan speakers may use closings such as Cordialment or Salutacions, depending on the degree of formality and the relationship with the recipient. In practice, the closing is typically followed by a comma and the sender’s name on the next line.

Relationship to other languages: Atentament has cognates in Spanish and Portuguese, where Atentamente serves the same formal purpose. The use of specific valedictions can reflect regional and institutional conventions within the broader Romance-language tradition.

Usage considerations: The choice of closing should match the level of formality of the communication and the relationship to the recipient. In official letters, emails to authorities, or professional correspondence, Atentament is commonly appropriate. In casual notes, simpler closings are usually preferred.

See also: Valediction, Epistolary style, Catalan language, Formal letter etiquette.