謹啓(きんけい)

きんけい
noun
respectfully (formal letter opening); Dear Sir or Madam
1. respectfully; with great respect (formal letter opening)
A highly formal opening phrase used at the beginning of a letter. Literally means 'I respectfully state.' Always paired with the closing 敬白(けいはく).
謹啓(きんけい)　時下(じか)ますますご清栄(せいえい)のこととお喜(よろこ)び申(もう)し上(あ)げます。
Dear Sir/Madam, I trust you are enjoying continued prosperity.
正式(せいしき)な文書(ぶんしょ)には謹啓(きんけい)を使(つか)う。
Use 'kinkei' in formal documents.
結婚式(けっこんしき)の招待状(しょうたいじょう)は謹啓(きんけい)で書(か)き始(はじ)めるのが一般的(いっぱんてき)だ。
It is standard to begin wedding invitations with 'kinkei.'

The most formal of the standard letter-opening phrases. Composed of 謹(きん) (respectfully) and 啓(けい) (to state, to inform). Used in highly formal contexts such as wedding invitations, corporate announcements, and official correspondence. Must be paired with the closing 敬白(けいはく).

LETTER OPENING/CLOSING PAIRS (by formality):

  • 前略(ぜんりゃく) / 草々(そうそう): informal
  • 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:

  • 拝啓(はいけい): Dear Sir/Madam — the standard formal opening; less formal than 謹啓(きんけい)
  • 前略(ぜんりゃく): (dispensing with formalities) — a casual opening that skips the seasonal greeting
  • 敬白(けいはく): respectfully yours — the corresponding closing for 謹啓(きんけい)
general
Added 2026.4.6 2:03 · Revised 2026.4.10 17:28
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