Translation and Meaning of: 御中 - onchuu

If you have come across formal correspondence in Japanese, you have likely seen the word 御中[おんちゅう]. This expression is essential for anyone looking to write letters, emails, or professional documents in Japan, but its meaning and usage can raise questions. In this article, we will explore what 御中 means, how it originated, and in what situations it is applied in everyday Japanese life.

What does 御中 mean and when should it be used?

御中 is an honorific term mainly used in written correspondence, especially on envelopes or in the heading of documents. It serves to indicate that the message is addressed to an organization, company, or group, and not to a specific person. For example, when sending a letter to a school, you would write the name of the institution followed by 御中.

The use of this word demonstrates respect and formality, avoiding the communication sounding generic or disrespectful. Interestingly, it is not used when the recipient is an individual — in those cases, other honorifics like 様[さま] or 殿[どの] are more appropriate.

The origin and structure of 御中

The composition of 御中 is interesting for those studying Japanese. The kanji 御[おん] is a common honorific prefix, while 中[ちゅう] means "inside" or "interior." Together, they convey the idea that the message is directed "to the interior" of an entity, that is, to the organization as a whole.

Although its exact origin is not entirely clear, it is believed that 御中 became popular during the Edo period, when bureaucracy and formal communication became more structured in Japan. Since then, it has remained a standard in official and commercial documents.

How not to confuse 御中 with other honorifics

A common mistake among Japanese students is using 御中 in inappropriate situations, such as when addressing a person. It is important to that this term is exclusive to institutions. If you are writing to the director of a company, for example, the correct form would be to use 様 after his name, and not 御中 with the name of the company.

Another frequent confusion occurs with 各位[かくい], which is also a collective term, but it is used when the message is directed to multiple individuals within a group, such as "Dear ." While 御中 is impersonal, 各位 maintains a more direct, yet respectful tone.

Practical tips for using 御中 correctly

To when to use 御中, think of situations where you don’t exactly know who will receive your message. If you are sending a résumé to the HR department of a company, for example, the name of the department followed by 御中 is the appropriate choice. If you know the recruiter, using their name with 様 is the most suitable.

A useful curiosity is that 御中 is never used together with other honorifics. In other words, writing "株式会社スキ日本語御中様" would be incorrect, as 様 is redundant. Just the name of the company followed by 御中 is enough to maintain formality without excess.