Spanish Phrase
Te escribo.
Meaning
‘Te escribo’ translates to ‘I write to you’ or ‘I’m writing to you.’ It is used to introduce a written message—whether a letter, email, text, or note—addressed to someone you know well.
When to use
Use this phrase at the start of an informal written communication with a friend, family member, or colleague you address with ‘tú’. In a formal context you would replace ‘te’ with ‘le’ (Le escribo).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Teescribo
Te (object pronoun)
‘Te’ is the second‑person singular (tú) direct/indirect object pronoun, meaning ‘to you’ or ‘you’ as the receiver of the action.
Escribo (present of escribir)
‘Escribo’ is the first‑person singular present indicative of the regular –ir verb ‘escribir’, meaning ‘I write’.
Word order
In Spanish the object pronoun normally precedes the conjugated verb, so ‘Te escribo’ is the natural order.
🗨In Conversation
Te escribo para contarte que voy a llegar mañana.
I’m writing to tell you that I’ll arrive tomorrow.
¡Qué buena noticia! Gracias por avisarme.
What great news! Thanks for letting me know.
✕Common Mistakes
Te escribes una carta.
‘Te escribes’ means ‘you write yourself’; the correct form for ‘I write to you’ is ‘Te escribo’.
Yo te escribo a ti.
The pronoun already indicates the object, so adding ‘a ti’ is redundant in most contexts.
Le escribo a mi hermano.
Use ‘te’ for informal ‘tú’ relationships; ‘le’ is the formal/third‑person pronoun.
↔Alternatives
Te mando un mensaje.
I’m sending you a message.
Te escribo un correo.
I’m writing you an email.
Te escribo pronto.
I’ll write to you soon.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries it is common to open an informal note with ‘Te escribo…’ as a friendly way to signal that the following text is a personal message. Remember that the formal equivalent is ‘Le escribo…’, which you would use with strangers, elders, or in business correspondence. Also, in regions that use ‘voseo’ (e.g., Argentina, Uruguay) the formal version would be ‘Le escribo’ while the informal pronoun remains ‘te’.