貴殿(きでん)

きでん
pronoun
you (in letters and official documents)
formalpolitewrittencommunication
1. you (very formal, used in written correspondence)
A highly formal second-person pronoun used primarily in business letters, official documents, and formal written communication. Traditionally used to address men of equal or lower status, but in modern usage the gender restriction has loosened.
貴殿(きでん)のご意見(いけん)を伺(うかが)いたい。
I would like to hear your opinion.
貴殿(きでん)のご活躍(かつやく)をお祈(いの)り申(もう)し上(あ)げます。
I pray for your continued success.
貴殿(きでん)におかれましては、ますますご健勝(けんしょう)のこととお慶(よろこ)び申(もう)し上(あ)げます。
I am delighted to hear that you are in good health.

Usage

Used almost exclusively in formal written correspondence such as business letters, legal documents, and official notifications. Rarely used in speech. Traditionally addressed to men; for women, 貴女(きじょ) was the counterpart, though this distinction is fading.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 貴方(あなた): you — standard polite form
  • 貴社(きしゃ): your company — formal, used when addressing organizations
  • 各位(かくい): everyone (formal) — used when addressing a group

Related Words

Compare: あなた (you (standard polite))
Related: 貴社(きしゃ) (your company (formal))
Related: 各位(かくい) (everyone (formal address))
Compare: 貴公(きこう) ((archaic/literary) you)
general
Added 2026.3.19 20:54 · Revised 2026.10.1 18:54
18000/18008_kiden