What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 此致 (hereby/to this) and 敬礼 (salute/respects).
Which one should you use?
While 此致敬礼 is very formal and somewhat stiff, 祝好 (zhù hǎo) is a more common, modern and slightly less formal way to say best regards or wish you well in emails.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
此致敬礼 is a highly formal closing used in official letters, formal notices or letters to superiors and teachers. For business or work-related settings, you might use 谨祝工作顺利 (wishing you smooth work) or 祝您一切顺利 (a formal way of expressing kind regards). For a more relaxed and informal expression of kind regards, you can use 祝你一切顺利 (wishing you all the best).
How does it change in a sentence?
In formal written correspondence, 此致 is often placed on its own line, followed by 敬礼 on the next line starting from the beginning of the line.
How do you pronounce it?
cǐzhì jìnglǐ
Did you know?
- The phrase 敬礼 is the same term used when a soldier performs a formal military salute, giving the closing a sense of disciplined deference.
- The word 敬 in 敬礼 is the same character used in the word for 'toast' (敬酒), as both involve showing respect to another person.
- If you use 此致敬礼 in a casual text message to a friend, it may come across as ironically stiff or even jokingly robotic, because the phrase carries the weight of official government or academic correspondence.
Examples in context
- 祝你一切顺利，小明。Wishing you all the best, Xiao Ming.
- 请在信末写上此致敬礼。Qǐng zài xìnmò xiěshàng cǐzhìjìnglǐ.Please write kind regards at the end of the letter.
- 他写信时总是用此致敬礼。Tā xiě xìn shí zǒng shì yòng cǐzhìjìnglǐ.He always uses kind regards when writing letters.
- 这封正式信函应当加上此致敬礼。Zhè fēng zhèngshì xìnhán yīngdāng jiāshàng cǐzhìjìnglǐ.This formal letter should include kind regards.
Example conversation
Zihan is helping Junjie write a formal email to a professor.
- 梓涵 Zihan俊杰，你的信写完了吗？Jùnjié, nǐ de xìn xiě wán le ma?Junjie, have you finished writing your letter?
- 俊杰 Junjie快了，但我不知道怎么结尾。Kuài le, dàn wǒ bù zhīdào zěnme jiéwěi.Almost, but I don't know how to end it.
- 梓涵 Zihan你可以写“此致敬礼”。Nǐ kěyǐ xiě “cǐzhì jìnglǐ”.You can write "kind regards".
- 俊杰 Junjie谢谢梓涵，这样就很正式了。Xièxiè Zǐhán, zhèyàng jiù hěn zhèngshì le.Thanks Zihan, that makes it very formal.
