How to Close a Formal Chinese Email: Sincerely, Best Regards, and More
Learn to end formal Mandarin emails with the right closing phrase. Master 此致敬礼, 顺祝商祺, and other sign-offs, and avoid common mistakes.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In Chinese formal emails, the closing is not just a polite afterthought—it signals your relationship to the reader and the purpose of your message. Unlike English, where 'Sincerely' or 'Best regards' can fit almost any professional context, Chinese offers a range of closings that vary by formality, industry, and even the relative status of the recipient. This lesson focuses exclusively on email endings. You will learn the most common formal closings, how to format them, and when to choose each one. We will not cover greetings or email openings; instead, we will drill down on the final lines that leave a lasting impression. By the end, you will be able to select an appropriate closing, place it correctly, and sign your name in a way that feels natural to Chinese readers.
By the end, you can…
- identify and use at least five formal Chinese email closings.
- choose the right closing based on formality and recipient.
- format the closing and signature correctly in a Chinese email.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
此致敬礼
Sincerely (literally 'hereby extending my respects')
cí zhì jìng lǐ
The most standard formal closing. Write 此致 at the end of the main text, then 敬礼 on the next line, usually flush left or indented two spaces. Suitable for official letters and emails to superiors or institutions.
顺祝商祺
Best regards for your business (literally 'wishing you business prosperity')
shùn zhù shāng qí
Common in business correspondence, especially to clients or partners. It implies wishing success in their commercial endeavors. Use in professional contexts, not personal ones. Note: 祺 (qí) here means 'auspicious/prosperous', so the phrase is a formal blessing on the recipient's business.
祝好
Best wishes
zhù hǎo
A versatile, slightly less formal closing. Suitable for colleagues you know well or semi-formal emails. It is friendly but still professional. Often written on its own line before your name.
敬上
Respectfully yours (used after your name)
jìng shàng
Placed after your signature, often on the same line or the next line. It adds a tone of deference. Common when writing to someone of higher status. Note: 敬上 is not a standalone closing; it must follow a name.
谢谢
Thank you
xiè xie
Can serve as a simple closing in less formal work emails, especially when you have made a request. It is not as formal as 此致敬礼 but is widely accepted in everyday office communication. Note: 谢谢 is casual; avoid it in first-contact or high-stakes correspondence.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Chinese formal closings often follow a two-part structure: a closing phrase and a signature. For example, you might write 此致 on one line, then 敬礼 on the next, followed by your name and date. Another pattern is 顺祝商祺, which can stand alone before your name. A third pattern is to put 敬上 after your name, as in 李明 敬上. Notice that punctuation is minimal; these phrases are usually written without a comma or period. The placement matters: 此致 typically ends the body, while 敬礼 begins a new line. In emails, you can left-align or indent 敬礼 slightly. Always include your full name and, if appropriate, your title and contact information below the closing.
When to use it
Choose your closing based on the recipient and context. Use 此致敬礼 for official correspondence, such as to government offices, universities, or senior executives. It is the safest, most respectful option. Use 顺祝商祺 when writing to business contacts, especially in sales, partnerships, or client services; it conveys a wish for their commercial success. For colleagues you interact with regularly, 祝好 or 谢谢 strikes a balance between polite and approachable. If you are writing to a superior within your company, 敬上 after your name adds deference. Avoid overly casual closings like 拜拜 or 再见 in formal emails. When in doubt, err on the side of formality; it is rarely considered excessive in Chinese business culture.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
王经理，关于下周的会议安排，我已经将详细议程发到您的邮箱。此致 敬礼。
Manager Wang, regarding next week's meeting arrangements, I have already sent the detailed agenda to your email. Sincerely.Wáng jīnglǐ, guānyú xià zhōu de huìyì ānpái, wǒ yǐjīng jiāng xiángxì yìchéng fā dào nín de yóuxiāng. Cí zhì jìng lǐ.收到，谢谢。我会尽快查看。顺祝商祺。
Received, thank you. I will review it as soon as possible. Best regards for your business.Shōu dào, xièxie. Wǒ huì jǐnkuài chákàn. Shùn zhù shāng qí.好的，期待您的反馈。如有任何问题，请随时联系我。祝好。
Okay, I look forward to your feedback. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Best wishes.Hǎo de, qīdài nín de fǎnkuì. Rú yǒu rènhé wèntí, qǐng suíshí liánxì wǒ. Zhù hǎo.没问题。李明 敬上。
No problem. Respectfully, Li Ming.Méi wèntí. Lǐ Míng jìng shàng.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese email culture, the closing is often more elaborate than in English and can reflect hierarchical relationships. Using 此致敬礼 to a peer might feel overly stiff, while using 祝好 to a senior government official could seem too casual. Additionally, the placement of 敬礼 on a new line is a traditional convention that many still follow in formal letters; in emails, some writers put it on the same line as 此致, but the two-line format is safer. Also, note that 顺祝商祺 is specific to business contexts; it would be odd in an academic or personal email. When unsure, observe how your Chinese colleagues close their emails and mirror that style.
One thing to watch for
Using 此致敬礼 as a single phrase without a line break, like '此致敬礼' at the end of a sentence.
Try this instead: Write 此致 at the end of the body text, then start a new line with 敬礼. For example: '...期待您的回复。此致' then new line '敬礼'. This respects the traditional format and looks more professional.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are writing a formal email to a potential business partner. Which closing is most appropriate: 祝好, 顺祝商祺, or 谢谢?
Show a sample answer
顺祝商祺
顺祝商祺 is specifically for business contexts and conveys a wish for commercial success. 祝好 is more general and slightly less formal, while 谢谢 is too casual for a first business contact.
2Where should 敬上 be placed in a formal email?
Show a sample answer
After your name, for example: 李明 敬上.
敬上 is a deferential term that follows the signature. It is not used before the name. This placement shows respect to the recipient.
3Rewrite the following closing to be more formal: '谢谢，再见。'
Show a sample answer
此致 敬礼。
此致敬礼 is a standard formal closing. 谢谢，再见 is too casual for formal correspondence. Other acceptable answers include 顺祝商祺 if the context is business.
Choose your Chinese email closing based on formality and relationship: 此致敬礼 for official, 顺祝商祺 for business, 祝好 for semi-formal, and 敬上 after your name to show deference. Always format with proper line breaks.
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