English
Valedictions normally immediately precede the signature in written correspondence. The word or words used express respect, esteem, or regard for the person to whom the correspondence is directed, and the exact form used depends on a number of factors. In British English, valedictions have largely been replaced by the use of "Yours sincerely" or "Yours faithfully". "Yours sincerely" is typically employed in English when the recipient is addressed by name (e.g. "Dear John") and is known to the sender to some degree, whereas "Yours faithfully" is used when the recipient is not addressed by name (i.e., the recipient is addressed by a phrase such as "Dear Sir/Madam") or when the recipient is not known personally by the sender.Formal usage
Historically, valedictions were often elaborate and formal. Vestiges of such formality remain in various cases. The examples below are subject to some variation, but generally follow the pattern described.United Kingdom
*Letters to the King of the United Kingdom should end, "I have the honour to remain, Sir, Your Majesty’s most humble and obedient servant." Alternatively, "I remain, with the profoundest veneration, your Majesty's most faithful subject and dutiful servant." *Letters to other members of the Royal Family should end, "I have the honour to remain, Sir/Madam, Your Royal Highness’s most humble and obedient servant." *Letters to ambassadors should end, "I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration, Your Excellency’s obedient servant." *Letters to high commissioners should end, "I have the honour to be Your Excellency’s obedient servant." *Letters to theBusiness usage in the United States
The following table contains complimentary closings as recommended for business hard-letter use by two American authorities:Diplomatic usage
A diplomatic '' note verbale'' always ends with an elaborate valediction, most commonly "Valedictions in e-mail
Valedictions in formalOther forms
*"Yours aye" is a Scottish expression meaning "Yours always", still commonly used as a valediction to end written correspondence in the Royal Navy and British Army, and occasionally used by sailors or people working in a maritime context. It is commonly used in the Royal Australian Navy as a sign-off in written communication such as emails. *"Yours, etc." is used historically for abbreviated endings. It can be found in older newspaper letters to the editor, and often in US legal correspondence. "&c." may be seen as an alternative abbreviation ofUnited States military usage
Current regulations of theBengali
In written form, valediction is very important in Bengali. When writing official letters, general customs are: * Apnar ekantô badhyôgôtô (আপনার একান্ত বাধ্যগত) . * Apnar Bishwôstô (আপনার বিশ্বস্ত) . In oral form, various forms are used * Khoda Hafez (খোদা হাফেজ), fromChinese
Valedictions in Chinese are oe variable and reflect the relative social status of the sender and recipient. Salutation (問候語) is traditionally placed after valediction (申悃語) ''and'' the closing of the main body of the letter, as opposed to its typical location in English. Traditional valediction include: *To social seniors: 肅此上達 (prostrating o you delivering up)、敬此馳稟 (respectfully, speedily reporting)、耑肅奉稟 (especially prostrating, respectfully reporting)、肅此 (prostrating o you、敬此 (respectfully)、謹此 (reverently)。 *To social byequals: 耑此奉達o my n (especially, respectfully odelivering)、匆此布臆 ( pologeticallyquickly, relaying yestimations)、特此奉聞 (especially relaying or yourinformation)、草此奉達 the We E( pologeticallysio Eemply, respectfully delivering)、草此 (simply)、耑此 (especia Olly)。Ki o *For replications especially: 耑肅敬覆、耑此奉覆、肅函奉覆、耑此敬 N Oo覆、匆此布覆。 *For congnse,oe ratulations or commemoration: 敬申賀悃 Kk my、o.. 肅表賀忱、用申賀意。 Oo El*For expression of gratitude: 肅誌謝忱、敬此鳴 Or Eons no j ,Oeeooll My by on E Oo謝 E、耑鳴謝悃。o.e We E S on my e m up . WeiFrench
Standard French language valedictions tend to be much more complex than standard English ones, more akin to older English valedictions. They show a fair degree of variation, for example: : ''Veuillez agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués'' : "Please accept, Madam, Sir, the expression of my distinguished sentiments." Or: : ''Veuillez recevoir, Madame, mes sincères salutations.'' : "Please receive, Madam, my sincere salutations." Or: : ''Je vous prie de croire, Monsieur, à mes sentiments les meilleurs.'' : "I beg you to believe, Sir, in my best sentiments." In the latter case of a formula beginning with the first person, the valediction is often enhanced with a participial phrase concluding the sense of the letter (since traditionally it is not considered appropriate to begin a paragraph with the first person singular ''je'' in a letter): : ''Espérant recevoir une réponse favorable, je vous prie d'agréer, Madame…'' : "Hoping for a favourable answer, I beg you to allow, Madam…" A number of rules concern the use of these formulae: * the title used in the salutation of the letter must be reproduced in the valediction; so a letter addressing ''Madame la députée'' would conclude, ''Veuillez, Madame la députée''. * the wording ''recevoir l'assurance'' should be used in a letter from a hierarchical superior to an inferior, whereas the wording ''agréer l'expression'' should be used in a letter from a hierarchical inferior to a superior, and not conversely. * in a letter from a man to a woman or from a woman to a man, the writer must not send ''sentiments'' if they are not close family relatives (i.e. mother and son, father and daughter, brother and sister, or possibly close cousins). Such formulae may be used even in more friendly letters, often with the adjective ''cher'' or ''chère'' for the recipient. Letters to dignitaries may use even more grandiose styles, such as: : ''Daignez, Monsieur le Premier ministre, agréer l'expression de ma considération très distinguée.'' : "Deign, Mr. Prime Minister, to allow the expression of my most distinguished consideration." or more commonly: : ''Veuillez agréer, Monsieur le Premier ministre, l'expression de ma très haute considération.'' : "Please accept, Mr. Prime Minister, the expression of my highest consideration." According to French typographic rules, the proper capitalization for the official title is "Premier ministre" although people who mimic English titles or fear that they might appear disrespectful often use more capitals than the rules commend. : ''Veuillez agréer, Madame l'Ambassadeur, l'expression de mes salutations les plus respectueuses.'' : "Please allow, Madam Ambassador, the expression of my most respectful salutations." Another French typographic rule states that when addressing someone, styles like ''Monsieur'', ''Madame'', ''Mademoiselle'', should never be abbreviated, even if followed by a title (hence, writing ''M. le Premier Ministre'' or ''Mme l'Ambassadeur'' would be considered clumsy). Much shorter styles may be used in brief notes (''Sincères salutations''), and informal letters (such as between intimates) may use expressions such as (with approximate English equivalents – not literal translations): * ''Amicalement'' ("In friendship") * ''Amitiés'' ("Your friend") * ''À bientôt'' ("See you soon") * ''Au plaisir de vous revoir'' ("Hope to see you again soon") * ''Bien amicalement'' ("In Good Friendship") * ''Bien à vous'' ("Sincerely yours") * ''Cordialement'' ("Cordially") * ''Meilleures salutations'' ("Best Salutations") * ''Salutations distinguées'' ("With Distinguished Salutations") Unlike in English, when the letter writer has a title that is unique in his or her organization, it is placed before, not after, the name: : ''Veuillez recevoir, Monsieur, mes sincères salutations.'' : ''La vice-présidente des ressources humaines,'' : : ''A.B.''German
Valedictions in German, while a lot less complex than those in French, are similarly flexible. The highly formal form ''Hochachtungsvoll'' (lit. "highly respectfully") has been practically obsolete for many years and is very rarely used in modern German, except for highly formal correspondence from authorities or in letters with a highly negative connotation where "friendliness" would not be appropriate. The standard business valediction is ''Mit freundlichen Grüßen'' (lit. "with friendly regards") and is equivalent to ''Yours sincerely'' or ''Yours faithfully'' in English. A more seldom used variant of this is ''Mit freundlichem Gruß'', which is as above but in the singular form. Other semi-formal alternatives include (roughly in descending order of formality) ''Mit besten Grüßen'' (lit. "with best regards"), ''Beste Grüße'', ''Mit herzlichen Grüßen'' (lit. "with cordial regards"), ''Viele Grüße'' (lit. "many regards"), ''Schöne Grüße'' (lit. "nice regards"). German valedictions also offer the possibility of adding your location, e.g. ''Mit freundlichen Grüßen aus Berlin'' to added effect. While this is no less formal, it does have a more "relaxed" feel to it. Other less formal location-centric variations are also possible, such as ''Viele Grüße aus dem sonnigen Barcelona'' (lit. "many regards from sunny Barcelona"). These valedictions are also often adapted to specific professions, states or political views. For example, it is common to use ''Mit solidarischen Grüßen'' ("with regards in solidarity") among socialist and communist groups, ''Mit gewerkschaftlichen Grüßen'' (lit. "with union regards") or ''Mit kollegialen Grüßen'' (lit. "with cooperative regards") among labour union members, ''Mit kameradschaftlichen Grüßen'' (lit. "with comradely regards") among military personnel, ''Mit sportlichen Grüßen'' ("with sporting regards") among sportspeople, and ''Mit gebärdenfreundlichen Grüßen'' ("with gesture-friendly regards", implyingHebrew
Formal letters inHungarian
* Maradok tisztelettel: Very formal and now dated, means "I respectfully remain (your servant)". * Tisztelettel: Very formal, means "With regards". This is the equivalent of the English "Yours sincerely/faithfully/truly". * Üdvözlettel: Somewhat formal, assumes existing relationship. Often used between colleagues. It literally means "Greetings". * Üdv: An abbreviated and informal form of "Üdvözlettel". Very frequently used in e-mails among colleagues. * Puszi: Informal and somewhat intimate, means "kiss on the cheek". Often used within family and among friends, between or toward women. * Csók: Intimate, it means "kiss (on the mouth)". Mostly used between couples. Hungarian valedictions are extendable, which makes a number of variations on the above expressions possible, such as "Őszinte tisztelettel" ("With sincere appreciation") or "Szívélyes üdvözlettel" ("With cordial regards").Japanese
* ''Keigu'' (敬具 – Sincerely) * ''Kashiko'' (かしこ – With great humility)Portuguese
Formal valedictions should end with a comma followed by a paragraph where the valedictor's name (and optionally his status) is identified. Depending on the occasion, different degrees of formality are adequate, ranging from highly formal (e.g. solemn occasions) to totally informal (e.g. a conversation among friends). Some formal valedictions can be used at different formality degrees, but almost never in informal situations.Highly formal valedictions
* ''Com os melhores cumprimentos'' ("With the best compliments") * ''Respeitosamente'' ("Respectfully") * ''Reverentemente'' ("Reverently") * ''Com protestos da mais elevada estima e consideração'' ("With protestations of the highest esteem and consideration")Formal valedictions
* ''Atenciosamente'' ("Graciously") * ''Atentamente'' ("Attentively") * ''Saudações académicas'' ("Academic salutations", very common within Portuguese universities)Semi-formal valedictions
* ''Cordialmente'' ("Cordially") * ''Com amizade'' ("With friendship") * ''Cumprimentos'' ("Regards") * ''Saudações cordiais'' ("Cordial salutations")Informal valedictions
* ''Abraço'' ("a hug", usually between men), also ''Abraços'' ("hugs"). Some common variants include ''Forte Abraço'' ("Strong hug") and ''Grande Abraço'' ("Big hug") * ''Até já'' ("see you soon"), also ''Até depois'' and ''Até logo'' ("see you later") * ''Beijo'' ("a kiss", usually between women or between woman and man), also ''Beijos'' ("kisses") and ''Grande Beijo'' ("big kiss") * ''Beijinho'' (literally "a kisslet", very common especially between female and male friends), also ''Beijinhos'' (literally "kisslets") * ''Muitas saudades'' ("I miss you verily") * ''Seu'' / ''Sua'' ("Yours": male/female valedictor) * ''Tudo de bom'' ("All the best")Abbreviated valedictions (informal)
* ''Abs'', ''Abr'', ''Abç'' abbreviated form of ''Abraço'' ("hug") or ''Abraços'' ("hugs") * ''Bj'', ''Bjo'', abbreviated forms of ''Beijo'' ("kiss") or ''Beijinho'' ("kisslet"), also ''Bjs'' ("many kisses/kiss") * ''Cumps.'' abbreviated form of ''Cumprimentos'' ("Regards")Russian
*''С (глубоким) уважением'' ((Very) respectfully yours) – most often used *''С (наи)лучшими пожеланиями'' (Best regards) – allowed between long-time partners, otherwise sounds condescending *''Искренне Ваш'' (Sincerely yours) – a bit affectionate, e.g. a younger colleague addressing a senior one *''Ваш'' (yours) *''Ваш покорный слуга'' (Your obedient servant) – ironical; the least possible degree of formality between people not being close friends or socially equal *''Примите заверения в моём самом искреннем уважении и почтении'' (Please accept the assurances of my sincerest regards and respect) – diplomatic etiquette *''До скорой встречи'' (See you soon) – informalSlovak
*''S pozdravom'' (Sincerely) *''S úctou'' (Yours truly) - very formal *''Srdečné zdravím'' (Cordial greetings) *''Drž sa'' (Take care)Spanish
*''Saludos'' (Regards) *''Atentamente'' (literally "attentively", a very common business valediction similar to "respectfully") *''Cordialmente'' ("cordially") *''Amablemente'' (literally "amiably", similar to "kindly") *''Amorosamente'' ("lovingly", not commonly used in Spain) *''Tiernamente'' ("tenderly", not commonly used in Spain) *''Un cordial saludo'' ("cordial greetings") *''Reciba un cordial saludo'' ("receive cordial greetings") *''Un abrazo'' ("a hug", very common between male friends and male family members) *''Abrazos'' ("hugs") *''Un beso'' ("a kiss", very common to and from female friends and family members) *''Besos'' ("kisses")Swedish
* ''Högaktningsfullt'' (Highly respectfully – Old style and very formal, no longer in common use) * ''Med vänlig hälsning'' (With friendly regard – Common in business letters) ** or: ''Med vänliga hälsningar'' (With friendly regards) ** in informal emails often written: ''Mvh'' ** or: ''Vänligen'' (Kindly) * ''Hjärtliga hälsningar'' (Cordially – somewhat formal among friends, informal in business letters) * ''Kram'' (Hug – informal, between friends)Turkish
*''Saygılarımızla'' (''yours faithfully'') *''Saygılarımla'' (''yours sincerely'', or ''kind/best regards'') *''Saygılar'' (''respectfully yours'', or ''regards'')See also
*References
External links
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