Marathi Patra Lekhan – मराठी पत्रलेखन Format & Sample Letters

What is letter writing?

Letter writing means sharing your thoughts, feelings, information or a request with another person in written form. Even in the age of phones and mobiles, letters still matter for applications, complaints, orders and greetings. A good letter is precise, clear and written in the correct layout. Letter writing carries fixed marks in the exam, so learning the layout well really pays off.

Types of letters

There are two main types of letters.

1. Formal letter (औपचारिक पत्र) – a letter written for work to an office, school, institution or officer. The language is polite, brief and courteous.

• Leave application to the principal
• Ordering books from a bookseller
• Complaint to the Gram Panchayat or Municipal Council
• Letter to the editor of a newspaper

2. Informal letter (अनौपचारिक पत्र) – a personal letter to parents, relatives or friends. The language is warm and free.

• Letter to father or mother
• Letter congratulating a friend
• Letter describing a school trip to a friend

Formal letter format

A formal letter has these parts in this order:

1. Sender's address and date
2. प्रति (To) – the receiver's designation and address
3. विषय (Subject)
4. संदर्भ (Reference), if any
5. मायना (Salutation), e.g. महोदय (Sir) / महोदया (Madam)
6. मजकूर (Body)
7. शेवट (Closing), e.g. आपला विश्वासू / आपली विश्वासू (Yours faithfully)
8. Signature and name

If the layout given by your school or in your board's activity sheet (कृतिपत्रिका) is different, follow that one.

A sample layout looks like this:

A.B.C.,
Std. X, Samarth Vidyalaya,
Pune – 411 000.
Date: __/__/2026

To,
The Principal,
Samarth Vidyalaya,
Pune – 411 000.

Subject: Regarding ............

Sir,

(Body – the reason for writing, the details, and finally the request.)

Yours faithfully,
(Signature)
A.B.C.

Informal letter format

An informal letter has these parts:

1. Address and date
2. मायना (Salutation), e.g. तीर्थरूप आई / बाबा (respected mother / father), प्रिय मित्र (dear friend)
3. मजकूर (Body)
4. शेवट (Closing), e.g. तुझा मित्र / तुझी मैत्रीण (your friend), तुमचा / तुमची आज्ञाधारक (your obedient son / daughter)
5. Name

A sample layout looks like this:

A.B.C.,
Samarth Hostel,
Kolhapur – 416 000.
Date: __/__/2026

Respected Father (तीर्थरूप बाबा),
Respectful greetings (सा. न. वि. वि. – साष्टांग नमस्कार, विनंती विशेष).

(Body – your news, the main matter, and asking about everyone at home.)

Your obedient son,
A.B.C.

Tips

• First decide whether the letter is formal or informal, and choose your language accordingly.
• Write the address, date, salutation and closing in the right place and in the right order.
• In a formal letter, state the subject clearly in one short line.
• Divide the body into 2–3 paragraphs: reason, details and request.
• Use polite but to-the-point language in a formal letter; avoid long, unnecessary sentences.
• Let warmth show in an informal letter, and ask about the family.
• Use only the name, address and details given in the question; in the exam do not write your real name, use "A.B.C."
• Keep spelling correct and handwriting neat; read the letter once at the end to check it.

Sample letters

Below are 8 sample letters, formal and informal; open each one to see its layout and language.