殿どの

suffix

Mr.; Ms.; formal addressee suffix

A polite but stiff written suffix used in official documents, business letters, certificates, and similar address lines. In modern everyday correspondence, 様 is usually safer; 殿 can sound administrative, hierarchical, or addressed from an organization to an individual or subordinate.

• 通つう知ち書しょの宛あて名なには「山やま田だ太た郎ろう殿どの」と書かかれていた。

  The notice was addressed to “Mr. Taro Yamada.”

• 表ひょう彰しょう状じょうには「佐さ藤とう花はな子こ殿どの」と印いん刷さつされている。

  The certificate is printed with “Ms. Hanako Sato.”