Japanese Letter Closing Phrases: Examples by Season, Business and Purpose, and How to Use "Go-jiai Kudasai"

The end of a letter (matsubun) has 3 parts

A Japanese letter divides broadly into 4 parts: the opening (opening word, seasonal greeting, well-being greeting), the main text (your business), the closing (closing remarks) and the end matter (date, signature, addressee). The closing reads naturally when you put the following 3 parts in order.

You can use just 1 or just 2. Business documents often close with only part 2, the line that wraps up your business, while adding part 1, a seasonal closing, gives personal letters warmth. Finally, end with the closing word that pairs with your opening word (Keigu for Haikei).

Seasonal closing phrases: examples for January to December

Closing lines that show concern for the reader's health feel more heartfelt when they match the season. As with seasonal greetings, choose by the season when the letter arrives, not when you send it.

Business closings by purpose

In business documents, a closing that sums up the letter's purpose in a line matters more than a seasonal closing. Each purpose has set phrases, shown here separately for writing to a company and to an individual.

"Ryakugi nagara shochu nite" (informal as this may be, by letter) means "I should really visit and tell you in person, but please forgive me for doing so informally by letter." Use it to close letters whose business you'd ideally deliver face to face, such as thanks, greetings or apologies.

• Asking for continued business: We sincerely ask for your continued patronage.
• Asking for a reply: We would be grateful if you could kindly send us a reply.
• Wishing the reader's company well: Last but not least, we sincerely wish your company continued growth.

Using "toriisogi" and "mappitsu nagara", and what to watch for

Some words common in closing remarks only suit certain readers or situations. The following 2 in particular are easy to misuse.

In get-well and condolence letters, also avoid reduplicated words such as "kuregure mo", "kasanegasane" and "masumasu", because they suggest misfortune or illness repeating.

Why is "okarada wo go-jiai kudasai" wrong?

"Go-jiai kudasai" is a standard closing, but writing "okarada wo go-jiai kudasai" ("please take care of your body") is sometimes criticized as redundant. "Jiai" on its own already means "to take care of one's own body (health)", so adding "okarada wo" says the same thing 2 times: "please take care of your body, of your own body".

"Go-jiai kudasai" isn't rude even to a senior. If its imperative form bothers you, turning it into a wish, as in "go-jiai no hodo oinori moushiagemasu" (I wish you good health), makes it more polite. For someone already recovering from illness or injury, "take care of yourself" doesn't fit, so write "I sincerely hope for your speedy recovery" instead.

Closing examples for personal letters and friends

In letters to friends, relatives or former teachers, a line tailored to the reader's life is more memorable than a set phrase.

• I sincerely wish you all good health.
• I look forward to seeing you again.
• Please give my best regards to your family.
• It's getting colder, so please keep warm.
• I know you're busy every day, but please don't overdo it.
• Thank you, and I hope we'll stay in touch.

After the closing remarks, write the closing word that pairs with your opening word. If you began with "Zenryaku", use "Sousou"; in a personal letter written by a woman, "kashiko" also works. For the full list of pairs, see Japanese Letter Opening and Closing Word Pairs.

Closing lines for emails

Business emails don't use a closing word (such as Keigu); the signature follows straight after the closing line. Using a letter's closing as it is can feel stiff, so a slightly more relaxed form is usual.

Even in emails, adding a seasonal line at a change of season or around the New Year, such as "go-jiai kudasai" (please take care of yourself) or "yoi otoshi wo omukae kudasai" (have a happy New Year), softens the tone of even routine correspondence.

A complete letter, closing included

Finally, let's look at a thank-you letter to a former teacher sent on November 10, from opening to close. The seasonal closing is followed by the line wrapping up the business, and the letter ends with the closing word.

• Haikei. As the cold season approaches, I am delighted to hear that you remain in good health, Mr. Tanaka. I am sincerely grateful for the kind attention you always show me.
• Now, thank you very much for the wonderful gift you kindly sent me.
• As the cold season approaches, please take good care of yourself. Please allow me to express my thanks by letter for now.
• Keigu (aligned to the bottom of the last line)

In the Seasonal Greeting and Letter Maker, choosing the sending date, reader and purpose automatically adds a seasonal closing suited to the period and a closing that matches the purpose. You can pick a different seasonal closing from the suggestions or choose to leave it out. The seasonal greetings for the opening can be checked by early, mid and late month in Japanese Seasonal Greetings by Month.

FAQ

Is "go-jiai kudasai" rude to use with a senior?

No. It's a closing widely used with seniors too. To make it more polite, "go-jiai no hodo oinori moushiagemasu" turns it into a wish for the reader's health.

Is "okarada wo go-jiai kudasai" wrong?

"Jiai" already includes the meaning "to take care of one's own body", so adding "okarada wo" doubles the meaning, and the phrase is often considered wrong. Write "kuregure mo go-jiai kudasai" instead.

What does "ryakugi nagara shochu nite" mean?

It means "I should really visit and tell you in person, but please forgive me for doing so informally by letter." It's used to close thank-you letters, greeting letters and apologies, as in "mazu wa ryakugi nagara shochu nite onrei moushiagemasu" (please allow me to express my thanks by letter for now, informal as this may be).

Do business letters need a seasonal closing?

It isn't required. Business documents often close with just a line that wraps up the business, such as "please allow us to send this notice by letter for now, informal as this may be". In thank-you letters and seasonal greeting letters, adding a seasonal closing gives a more polite impression.

What comes after the closing remarks?

Write the closing word that pairs with your opening word (Keigu for Haikei, Kinpaku for Kinkei), then the end matter: date, sender and addressee. In vertical writing, align the closing word to the bottom of the last line; in horizontal writing, to the right of the next line.