敬具(けいぐ)

けいぐ
expression
respectfully yours, sincerely (letter closing)
formalpolitewrittencommunication
1. respectfully yours, sincerely
A formal closing phrase used at the end of a letter or written correspondence. The standard pair to the opening 拝啓(はいけい) (Dear Sir/Madam).
…よろしくお願(ねが)いいたします。敬具(けいぐ)
...I humbly ask for your cooperation. Respectfully yours.
拝啓(はいけい)　時下(じか)ますますご清栄(せいえい)のこととお慶(よろこ)び申(もう)し上(あ)げます。…敬具(けいぐ)
Dear Sir/Madam, I am pleased to hear of your continued prosperity. ... Respectfully yours.
ビジネスレターでは拝啓(はいけい)で始(はじ)めて敬具(けいぐ)で締(し)めるのが基本(きほん)だ。
In business letters, the standard practice is to begin with 拝啓 and close with 敬具.

Usage

Always paired with the opening 拝啓(はいけい) (Dear Sir/Madam). This is the most standard formal opening-closing pair in Japanese letter writing. Written on its own line at the end of the letter body, typically right-aligned.
Rarely used in email — business emails in Japan typically omit these traditional opening/closing formulas. Still required in formal printed letters, invitations, and official correspondence.

Letter pairs

  • 拝啓(はいけい)…敬具(けいぐ): standard formal pair
  • 謹啓(きんけい)…謹言(きんげん): very formal pair (used for highly important letters)
  • 前略(ぜんりゃく)…草々(そうそう): abbreviated pair (skips seasonal greetings)

Similar words

  • 拝啓(はいけい): Dear Sir/Madam (paired opening)
  • 草々(そうそう): informal letter closing (pairs with 前略(ぜんりゃく))
  • 謹言(きんげん): very formal letter closing (pairs with 謹啓(きんけい))

Related Words

Compare: 拝啓(はいけい) (Dear Sir/Madam)
Compare: 敬白(けいはく) (respectfully yours)
Compare: 頓首(とんしゅ) (respectfully yours)
general
Added 2026.2.23 8:46 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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