respectful term added to addressee's name in letters
A formal, somewhat old-fashioned epistolary expression placed after the addressee's name to show respect, similar to 様 or 御中 but specifically used in written correspondence.
In letters, one sometimes writes 'To Mr. Tanaka, 机下' after the name.
under the desk
Literal spatial meaning; less common than the epistolary sense and may be encountered in older texts or formal contexts.
The documents have fallen under the desk.
Standard kanji form for both senses.
Rarely used kanji form; 机下 is preferred.
A Sino-Japanese epistolary expression literally meaning “beneath the desk,” used after an addressee’s name to present the letter humbly as reaching the recipient indirectly.