頓とん首しゅ

noun

respectfully yours

Honorific closing formula used at the end of formal letters, similar to 'Sincerely' or 'Respectfully yours'.

• 手て紙がみの末まつ尾びに「頓とん首しゅ」と記きす。

  Write '頓首' at the end of the letter.

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

kowtowing; kowtow

Original meaning: a deep bow of respect, touching the head to the ground. Now rare as a standalone noun; the verb form 頓首する is occasionally used in historical or formal contexts.

• 昔むかしの中ちゅう国ごくでは、皇こう帝ていの前まえで頓とん首しゅした。

  In ancient China, people kowtowed before the emperor.