The difference between
written language and conversational language in Japanese is much greater than in English. Japanese letters often use
classical grammar patterns which
are seldom used in conversation. Although there are no particular rules when
writing to close friends, there are many set expressions and honorific expressions
(keigo) used in formal letters. A
conversational style is not usually used when writing formal letters.
Opening and Closing Words
The opening and closing
words in letters, which are similar to English's "Dear" and
"Sincerely" etc., come in pairs.
Haikei
- Keigu 拝啓 -
敬具
The most
common pair used in formal letters. Women sometimes use "Kashiko（かしこ）"
as a closing word instead of "Keigu."
Zenryaku
- Sousou 前略 -
草々
This pair
is less formal. It is usually used when you don't have time to write a
long letter, so that the preliminary greetings are omitted. "Zenryaku"
literally means, "omitting the preliminary remarks."
Preliminary
Greetings
Ogenki
de irasshaimasu ka. お元気でいらっしゃいますか。
(very formal)
Have
you been doing well?
Ogenki
desu ka. お元気ですか。
Ikaga
osugoshi de
irasshaimasu ka. いかがお過ごしで
いらっしゃいますか。
(very formal)
How
have you been?
Ikaga
osugoshi desu ka. いかがお過ごしですか。
Okagesama
de
genki ni shite orimasu. おかげさまで元気にしております。
(very formal)
Fortunately
I'm doing well.
Kazoku
ichidou
genki ni shite orimasu. 家族一同元気にしております。
I
apologize for neglecting to write
for such a long time.
Gobusata
shite orimasu. ご無沙汰しております。
I'm
sorry I haven't written
for a long time.
These expressions or
seasonal greetings can be combined in a variety of ways to form the preliminary
greeting.
The Japanese have long admired the seasonal changes, therefore it
seems too abrupt to start a letter without the proper seasonal greeting. Here
are some examples.
Gobusata
shite orimasu ga,
ogenki de irasshaimasu ka. ご無沙汰しておりますが、
お元気でいらっしゃいますか。
I'm
sorry I haven't written for a long time, but have you been doing well?
Sukkari
aki rashiku natte mairimashita ga,ikaga
osugoshi de irasshaimasu
ka. すっかり秋らしくなってまいりましたが、
いかがお過ごしでいらっしゃいますか。
It
has become very autumn like;
how have you been?
Samui
hi ga tsuzuite orimasu ga, ikaga osugoshi desu ka. 寒い日が続いておりますが、
いかがお過ごしですか。
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