敬白(けいはく)

けいはく
noun
respectfully yours; yours sincerely (closing word of a letter)
formalpolitecommunication
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.

RELATED WORDS (by formality):

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)

Related Words

Compare: 敬具(けいぐ) (sincerely)
Compare: 謹啓(きんけい) (respectfully)
Related: 拝啓(はいけい) (standard formal)
general
Added 2026.4.6 2:03 · Revised 2026.10.7 15:25
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