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御前 (おんまえ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
Dear (in formal letters)
female term, language, or name polite (teineigo)
Polite, feminine term placed after the addressee's name in formal correspondence, similar to 'Dear' in English. Used specifically in letter writing; not a general term of address.
See also: 脇付
Kanji 御 honorable, manipulate, govern Similar words 脇わき 付づけ 脇付 is a general term for the respectful suffix added to the addressee's name in a letter, while 御前 is one specific form of 脇付 used in formal, often feminine, correspondence.
Etymology The term is composed of the honorific prefix 御 (おん) and 前 (まえ), literally 'before (the person)'. It is a conventional formal salutation in Japanese letter writing, with its usage dating back to classical epistolary style.
あて
名な
に
は
「
田た
中なか
様さま
御おん
前まえ
」
と
書か
い
て
ある
。
The addressee on this letter reads 'Dear Mr./Ms. Tanaka'.
