der Letter, –

The German word "Letter" is borrowed from English and used in some contexts, but is not common in standard German for "letter" (as in a written message). The usual German word for a written "letter" is "der Brief".

• "Letter" (English origin) can refer to "letters" (individual alphabet characters) in German technical or English-influenced contexts.
• Related German words:
  • "Brief" (letter — written message)
  • "Buchstabe" (letter — alphabet character)

Difference:

• "Brief" is used for personal or formal written communication.
• "Buchstabe" is used for single letters of the alphabet.
• "Letter" is rarely used in everyday German except in special contexts or English loanword usage.