敬具
keigu
The English phrase "sincerely yours" is translated into Japanese as 敬具 (keigu).
敬具 is a common way to end formal letters in Japanese to convey respect and politeness. It is used specifically in formal written letters and is not used in spoken conversation or casual emails.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "to express respect".
Which one should you use?
While 敬具 is used for formal letters, a more casual or standard closing for non-business correspondence is often omitted or replaced by simpler terms. Another formal option is 敬白, which is used to indicate formality when ending a letter, often in official or bureaucratic contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
In standard letter layout, 敬具 is placed on its own line at the very end of the text, aligned to the right. In formal Japanese correspondence, 敬具 is almost always paired with the opening salutation 拝啓.
How do you pronounce it?
keigu
Did you know?
- If a writer uses the more humble opening 謹啓, they must pair it with the closing 謹言 or 謹白 instead of 敬具. Using 敬具 with a 'super-formal' opening is considered a breach of etiquette.
- In modern Japanese business emails, 敬具 has been largely replaced by the phrase よろしくお願いいたします. The traditional letter-closing customs are now seen as too stiff for digital screens.
- In many modern digital contexts, such as instant messaging or casual emails, using 敬具 can actually make you appear 'too' formal, sometimes even creating an awkward distance between you and the recipient.
Examples in context
- 敬具keiguSincerely yours.
- 手紙の結びには敬具を使います。tegami no musubi ni wa keigu o tsukaimasu.One uses sincerely yours at the end of a letter.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are reviewing a formal business letter together.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さん、手紙の最後はどう書けばいいですか？Kenta-san, tegami no saigo wa dou kakeba ii desu ka?Kenta, how should I write the end of the letter?
- 健太 Kentaフォーマルな手紙なら、「敬具」を使いましょう。Fōmaru na tegami nara, "keigu" o tsukaimashou.If it is a formal letter, let's use "keigu".
- 美咲 Misakiなるほど、「敬具」と書けばいいんですね。Naruhodo, "keigu" to kakeba ii n desu ne.I see, so I should write "sincerely yours".
- 健太 Kentaはい、そうすれば完璧です。Hai, sou sureba kanpeki desu.Yes, then it will be perfect.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 敬具, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
