Blog Archives

Abbreviation "At your hands"

If you are sending a formal letter, you will often need the correct abbreviation for "attention". In this practical tip, we will show you how to correctly abbreviate the expression.

"Attention": Which abbreviation is correct?

Formal and business letters are usually intended to end up with specific people. So that the letter arrives not only in the company, but also with the right employee, the expression "for the attention of" is used.

• Since this takes up a lot of space in the address, it is simply abbreviated. The most common abbreviation is "attn.". Also common are "z. H." and "Attn". You can also omit the space between the two abbreviated words if you wish.
• The abbreviation z. Hd. is written directly before the recipient's name. For personal letters, you can leave a line above the note "personal".
• For letters to authorities, you can add "o. V. i. A." after the name. With the note "or representative in office" your letter will be processed even if the employee is absent.

When is "at your fingertips" used?

If you send an e-mail, you can usually be sure that it will end up directly with the desired person. With letters, unfortunately, things are a bit different.

• If you are sending a letter to a private person, the name and address are sufficient. However, if you send the letter to a company, it may have several hundred employees.
• Letters then often end up in the post office or with a specific person, who then does not necessarily correspond to the addressee you want.
• To ensure that your letter is not opened by other employees of the company and then passed from department to department, you should use the addition "For the attention of". This makes it clear that the letter should only be opened by this employee.

Use an abbreviation in the letter address

The following two examples show how to correctly use the abbreviation in the address.

• CHIP Digital GmbH
  Attn: Mr. Mustermann
  St.-Martin-Straße 66
  81541 Munich
• CHIP Digital GmbH
  Practical tips department, e.g. Attn: Mr. Mustermann
  -Martin-Straße 66
  81541 Munich