1.
addressed to (an organization); dear (company/department)
A formal addressing suffix written on letters and envelopes when the recipient is an organization, company, or department rather than a specific individual. Equivalent to placing 'Dear [Organization]' on correspondence.
○○株式会社 御中
Dear XX Corporation
封筒に「人事部 御中」と書いた。
I wrote 'Human Resources Department' (with the honorific address) on the envelope.
個人名がわかる場合は御中ではなく「様」を使う。
When you know the individual's name, use 'sama' instead of 'onchuu.'
USAGE:
Used exclusively in written correspondence — letters, envelopes, faxes, and business emails. Never used in spoken Japanese. It replaces 様 when addressing an organization rather than a person.
RULES:
- Use 御中 when writing to a company or department without a specific person's name
- Use 様 when writing to a specific individual
- Never combine both: ○○会社 御中 田中様 is INCORRECT
- The correct form is: ○○会社 田中様
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ○○株式会社 御中 (Dear XX Corporation)
- ○○部 御中 (Dear XX Department)
- ○○事務局 御中 (Dear XX Secretariat)