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 (Dear Sir/Madam).
…よろしくお願いいたします。敬具
...I humbly ask for your cooperation. Respectfully yours.
拝啓 時下ますますご清栄のこととお慶び申し上げます。…敬具
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で始めて敬具で締めるのが基本だ。
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 (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.
LETTER PAIRS:
- 拝啓…敬具: standard formal pair
- 謹啓…謹言: very formal pair (used for highly important letters)
- 前略…草々: abbreviated pair (skips seasonal greetings)
NOTE:
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.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 拝啓: Dear Sir/Madam (paired opening)
- 草々: informal letter closing (pairs with 前略)
- 謹言: very formal letter closing (pairs with 謹啓)