敬白(けいはく)

けいはく
noun
respectfully yours; yours sincerely (formal letter closing)
1. respectfully yours; yours sincerely
A formal closing phrase used at the end of a letter, paired with the opening 謹啓(きんけい). More formal than 敬具(けいぐ).
謹啓(きんけい)…敬白(けいはく)。
Dear Sir/Madam ... Respectfully yours.
手紙(てがみ)の最後(さいご)に敬白(けいはく)と書(か)いた。
I wrote 'respectfully yours' at the end of the letter.
式典(しきてん)の招待状(しょうたいじょう)は謹啓(きんけい)で始(はじ)まり敬白(けいはく)で結(むす)ぶのが正式(せいしき)だ。
The formal way to write a ceremony invitation is to begin with 'respectfully' and close with 'sincerely yours.'

A highly formal letter-closing phrase meaning "I state this with respect." Always paired with the opening 謹啓(きんけい). Used in ceremonial correspondence such as wedding invitations, formal notices, and official letters.

LETTER OPENING/CLOSING PAIRS (by formality):

  • 前略(ぜんりゃく) / 草々(そうそう): informal (skipping formalities)
  • 拝啓(はいけい) / 敬具(けいぐ): standard formal
  • 謹啓(きんけい) / 敬白(けいはく): highly formal

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 敬具(けいぐ): sincerely — the standard formal letter closing, paired with 拝啓(はいけい); less formal than 敬白(けいはく)
  • 草々(そうそう): in haste — a casual closing paired with 前略(ぜんりゃく)
  • 謹啓(きんけい): respectfully (opening) — the corresponding opening to 敬白(けいはく)
general
Added 2026.4.6 2:03 · Revised 2026.4.10 17:28
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