I am trying to write an email to a professor in Spain. His title is catedrático and I need the email to be formal but am not sure how to be formal in Spanish.

Question

Would this be the correct way to start:
Estimado Prof (nombre)
I'm not sure whether to use "Prof" or if there is a better title to use. Is there a way to shorten "catedrático"?

Also, how could I say "When would you like me to start work? I need to organise some accommodation so need to know when you would like me to come"?
¿Cuándo usted me gustaría empezar el trabajo? Necesito organizar mi alojamiento así necesito saber cuándo usted quisiera que yo venga.

Would it be ok to finish with "Tengo ganas de venir y trabajar en tu grupo." or is that too informal?

Thank you so much

Answer 1

The formal in Spanish is to use usted exclusively.

Profesor (no abbreviations because that is informal) and no shorter form for "catedrático"

¿Cuándo le gustaría que yo empiezo (comienzo) a trabajar? Puesto que necesito encontrar algún alojamiento (if in a hotel) or alguna acomodación, tendría que saber cuándo llegar.

In the question, usted comes after the verb: ¿Cuándo le gustaría usted empezar el trabajo? (not quite the same thing, for that says "When would you like to begin the work ?)

Nice useage of the subjunctive in "Necesito organizar, etc.

NO, never use tú or tu for formal = Tengo ganas de venir y trbajar in su grupo.

Sra

Answer 2

Thank you.