The Basic Format of China's Ancient Letters
1. Notes for letters: status, title, branch, title and ending.
The so-called identity, that is, the name of the recipient is written in the first line of the first header. The sender's signature is less than half of the whole stationery.
Heading refers to old-fashioned letters, leaving a space or a new line for older recipients to show respect.
Branch is a segmented statement to avoid confusion. Leaving two words blank at the beginning of each paragraph means writing in several paragraphs with different contents.
Appellation, different identities have different appellations. For example, for parents, it is used below the knee and in front of the knee; For the elders, respect the former, respect the right, learn from the ancient, and learn from the ancient, which is the right; For peers, use Taiwan Province to enlighten, learn from, benefit from and stand right; Women use Yi Jian and Cijian; Teachers should use letters, altar mats, etc. At present, it is generally no longer used, and there are comrades, gentlemen and so on. Used as a honorific. If you add Hui Jian, Tai Jian and Ci Jian, it's not bad.
After the letter is written, add the ending, commonly known as "closing the door." For example, "Pay tribute to Jun 'an", "Ask about the recent days", "Wish you health" and "Pay tribute to you", as well as some primitive chess forms such as Chun 'an, Dong 'an and Good 'an, among which "Dedicate Tai 'an" is used socially. Otherwise, there will be hasty words, such as "rushing to be different", "rushing endlessly", "incoherent" and "forgive me for not writing more".
Second, the specific format
(1) Nomination language
Letters must be addressed. First of all, we must distinguish between parents, elders, teachers and friends. Generally, after addressing, corresponding words should be added to show respect, such as madam and teacher. , call it a form of address.
Appellation and appellation have a corresponding relationship. Some of them can be used universally, but most of them have specific users. Among them, the more commonly used are:
For parents: below the knee, before the knee, before the respect, and as a guide.
Used for elders: a few years ago, respect the former, respect the mirror, teach the mirror, respect the power and learn the Tao.
Used for teachers: letters, altar seats, lectures, honorifics, Taoist seats, writing seats, history seats.
Used for peers: first step, your Excellency, Taiwan guide, big guide, and hui guide.
For students: Yan You, Moon Hee, Tai Jian.
For the younger generation: such as meeting, such as face, such as holding, and reading.
Female: Hui Jian, Zhuang Jian, Fang Jian, Lan Shu.
When writing letters to parents, the word "below the knee" is used most often, which comes from the Book of Filial Piety: "Therefore, under your own knee, adoptive parents are stricter." It means that people always lean on their parents' knees when they are young, and later they become respectful names for their parents.
The Letter Chapter is from the Book of Rites Quli. Ask the elders to "write a letter during the dinner", which means there should be a gap of about ten feet between each other's seats, so that the elders can draw some pictures; So as a title of respecting teachers.
Appellation can be used by several words overlapping. For example, say "Mr. Cheng Yu is a teacher" to his old master (the word Cheng Yu) to show his respect. Wait a minute. The list of common appellations is as follows:
Here, I will briefly explain some common appellations.
In ancient times, the first step was originally used as a title of respect for superiors at a lower level, and later it was mostly used among peers in letters.
In the past, children's letters to their parents began with "parents below their knees" People often lean on their parents' knees when they are young, and the word "below the knee" is used in family letters to show respect and love and care for their parents.
The hanging mirror gives you a mirror, and the statue is an ancient mirror, which means testing. Used as the address of a letter, this is a polite reading. Hanging means condescending. Giving is giving. Hook, in ancient times, used hook pottery to describe national politics, and later called eunuch hook. Hanging classes, giving classes and giving classes are mostly used in letters to people who are studying in high school and those who are studying in high school. The sword can be used to respect elders and elders. Taijian is widely used, and "Tai" means "Gao", which can be used by familiar or unfamiliar elders and peers.
Rong, Tao, Dajian, Xi Jian, and Ya Jian Uighur can be used as the word "Rong" for those who hold high positions and have meritorious deeds. For moral gentlemen and scholars, it can be called "Tao Jian". Great, English, great and elegant, with noble, beautiful, extraordinary and ordinary meanings, should be used in letters between friends. "See you later" means to enjoy reading, but the semantic component is lighter than "see you", which is suitable for ordinary letters, and teachers can be polite to independent juniors.
Kindness, love, affection, double appreciation and fragrance appreciation can be called "goodness". Between husband and wife, or between men and women who are close to each other, "love can be a guide." Letters to friends and friends can be used as "double reference". Letters between women can be used as "house building".
Li Jian wrote a letter to the mourners, using "Li Jian". For example, after the patriot Li Gongpu was killed, Zhou Enlai and others sent a letter of condolence to his wife, which was called "the ceremony of Ms. Zhang Manyun".
Public citation and cross-citation can be used for letters to groups or people. After the names are listed, you can write the book "Learn Together".
Tao Xi Lecture Xi Teaching Xi Writing Xi History Xi Dorsey is often used by students as a title of respect for teachers. Lecturer and lecturer are also honorifics for scholars engaged in education and lectures, but for peers, there is no need for a teacher-student relationship between the writer and the recipient. Writing seats, writing seats, and historical seats are all honorifics for scholars, and they are often used interchangeably among scholars. Writing is writing. History refers to the history of works handed down from generation to generation.
You will know after reading it. It is generally used to address young people and younger generations.
② Farewell or missing language
The prologue is the prologue of a letter, or greeting, or prompting why you want to write a letter. The opening remarks should be part of the letter. Because this kind of fractal has become a series of idioms in the old letters, it can often be seen in the present letters, so it is put forward separately and divided into two categories for reference:
(1) means that the writer sincerely invites the receiver to read this letter. For example:
The writer claims to be a person who reports things respectfully, indicating that the following words are to be used in letters to parents and elders, such as "Dear Mother, kneel down".
Kneeling is the same as "respect", which is used by future generations to respect their elders.
I am the same as above.
Respectfully, the writer, as a respectful statement, is very humble and asks the other party to allow him to say what he wrote below. It can be used for the peer and the next pair.
Sincerity means prudence and solemnity. Used of companions.
The meaning of path is very direct, which is very common for both public and private letters.
People who worship enlightenment worship and pay tribute. Used for communication between friends.
Respectable submitters and sincere submitters are used for public and private letters.
Beginners are used for peers, indicating that the following message will write the content of asking for help from the other party.
Hereby, here, now. Here, I intend to make a statement here today. Attitude is objective and peaceful, and there is no obvious respect.
The letter of bereavement to relatives and friends is trustworthy.
Respondents are used to reply to letters from relatives or superiors. For peers, you can use "start again".
A letter used by the sponsor to talk about something.
(2) according to the specific situation, or make a polite greeting, or prompt to write a letter, etc. For example:
With a foil on his back, he knows everything Suddenly, I was taught by hand and learned that one was. I long for the imperial edict. You got a grand performance and Jing gave you something. Thank you for your letter, if you meet your old friends. Fortunately, enlightened religion, enlightened. Recite the ruler to show my gratitude. My calligraphy is deeply loved. I'm glad to see this letter. After reading Flowers, I'm glad I can't violate it. I am very happy to read German. Teaching by hand is respected, and its meaning is profound and beautiful, inspiring. Tangent thinking, worthy of Hua Han, happy and inexplicable. Holding hands, it is a great relief to know Kangtai. I am grateful for this book and gave it a big book. If it is a river, I will be impressed. I'm sorry I didn't reply because of my complicated affairs. Taiwan Province's letter was read for many days, but it was not repaired immediately. I hope it will be buried in the sea. I learned from you, please forgive me. Thank you for your letter and good news. After reading the calligraphy, I know that you are ill and unsafe, which is very suspenseful. For a long time, Mu Caihong took the liberty to write a teaching book. I hope you are all right. I haven't seen you for a long time. I really appreciate your kindness. I haven't seen it for a long time, and my fist is extremely yin. When you ask a long question, you are in your mind. Farewell to the years increased my thoughts. I wrote a letter the other day. I'm afraid it's time. I think I have read the previous letter.
In fact, writing letters is also writing articles. Although this kind of opening remarks can be used, it is not rigid and can be ever-changing. In this sense, the opening remarks can also be omitted. For example, many people are used to writing letters with the word "hello". It seems that if it weren't for this, the letter wouldn't go on. It is good to say hello to the recipient first, but if all the letters are in this pattern, it will be dull and monotonous.
One of the functions of homesickness letters is to communicate each other's feelings. Therefore, after addressing, they do not directly enter the text, but use concise sentences to express their thoughts or admiration for each other. This sentence is called homesickness.
The most commonly used words of missing are from the perspective of seasons and climate. In Dunhuang literature, there is a short article about the December debate, which lists the words that can be used in different climatic conditions every month. For example, in the early spring of the first month, it can be said: "Meng Chun is still cold, absent-minded and nostalgic." I miss you too, but I hate not keeping a secret. "In February, it can be said that" mid-spring is fading away, there is no reason to comfort, friends are entangled, and Hang Seng is fond of thinking. "Wait a minute. Because of the description of artistic conception, it is very kind to read.
The yearning language of later letters is quite rich, too numerous to mention, such as:
The sky is in sight and I am eager to follow it.
The yearning for lovesickness is increasing day by day.
Looking at the wind and thinking, I am eager to say goodbye.
Looking up at that mountain, I yearn for it.
The rain is cloudy and bright, and when it is cloudy, miss it.
Cold light and rainy nights are especially late.
Thin shadows are like windows, and people cut them twice.
There is also a kind of homesickness, which begins with remembering the last time we met, and missing them, such as:
If you don't see the cheese meter, you will have to wait for half a year.
Since the violation of Fang Yi, flying to the moon.
Long time no see. When I think of Ju Jiasheng, I will pray privately.
After a long greeting, I am worried about the safety and prosperity of my family.
The yearning language is very rich, so readers can pay attention to the excerpts when reading the model essay for their own use. It is best to improve your literary accomplishment and describe your true feelings in your own language.
(iii) Text
The text of the letter, that is, what the writer said to the recipient, is the main body of the letter. The text starts from the second line of the letterhead, preceded by the word blank. If the prologue is on a separate line, the text can be written on the next line of the prologue. The contents of the letter are different, so there is no need to unify when writing, and the principle is accurate expression and accurate meaning. Generally speaking, talk about each other's affairs first, show concern, attention or gratitude and respect, and then talk about your own affairs. After the text is written, if there is any omission, it can be added at the end; Or write it in the bottom right corner of the letter, and add the words "other" and "again" before the postscript; Or write the words "friendship" or "hot opening" after the postscript.
(4) Conclusion
The conclusion, that is, the conclusion of the letter, should be part of the text. However, similar to the "opening remarks", a series of commonly used concluding remarks have also been formed in old-style letters, which are still frequently used in books and slips of people from all walks of life. I might as well list some here for your reference.
Books are short and long, so I won't repeat them one by one. Forgive me one by one. Come uninvited, I don't know Not ready. Not redundant. This book is not satisfactory. I can't stop talking. My mind is full of clever ideas.
I'll talk to you later. Yu Rong continued. After the guest, Dotan.
Ask the other party to reply:
I look forward to your reply. A proud enterprise shows its recovery. Waiting for Zoroastrianism. It's time to teach words. I hope to see you in your spare time. I look forward to your advice. From time to time, pray respectfully for politics (righteousness). Please show me one or two. See you in prayer. How to do it? Wait for Zhuo Cai. I expect to show it in time, so that I can't catch it and feel any prayer.
Tell the other party not to bother to reply:
I want to hear your opinion, so don't bother to answer. I am sorry for your kindness, but don't bother to give me an answer.
Answer each other's questions:
I'm sorry to ask, but I was a little ignorant in Chen Gu, so I chatted for a while. Coming from afar, I will ask questions and give a rough description of my humble opinion. I hope you can give me some advice. The above humble opinions are hardly elegant, please forgive me. One or two is not necessarily true, for reference only. Don't rush into this cloth, but don't laugh.
Ask someone to answer:
Please do as you ask. Please believe me, I sincerely hope you can give it to me. Everything is laborious, and I am begging for help.
Expressing concern:
Photo by Fu Weizhen. Thank you for your prayers. It's not too late. Take care of yourself and pray as much as you want. Save labor and hope. I'm sorry for your loss.
Express gratitude:
Thank you again for your excellent service. It is a public friendship not to be afraid of trouble. I am deeply impressed by my friendship and love.
5. Congratulations
A congratulatory letter is a phrase that expresses wishes, respect or encouragement to the recipient at the end of the letter, such as "ode to safety", "salute" and "I wish you progress". Among them, the words "ode", "from here" and "wish you" are written at the end of the article; The words "near safety", "salute" and "progress" should be written on a new line. If there are many words in the greeting, you can write it independently, and you don't need to split it in two. If there is enough space under the stationery, or in order to highlight the congratulations, you can also write "Zhu", "Award" and "From here" in a single line, leaving four spaces empty, and write "An", "Good" and "Salute" in the other top box. Generally, there is no punctuation mark after the congratulatory message written in the top case. Congratulatory messages should be appropriately selected according to specific circumstances.
The following are common greetings:
The content of the letter is mainly about one thing, which can be used: dedicated to this, dedicated to this, willing to dedicate to this, that is, please dedicate this message, that is, praise to this reply, willing (reply)
Ordinary letters are used between peers and friends: please follow the best wishes when praising.
Or: wait for this, please wait a moment.
Or: Congratulations, please wait a moment.
For the elders, you can choose: Gong Gong Xiao Gong Ge is waiting for you, so please pay tribute.
Between peers, in order to emphasize respect, you can also use: Gong Song waits for you.
To emphasize solemnity: congratulations.
For the younger generation: this inquiry means wishing (you) and wishing (you) hope.
Praise my grandfather; Live in Yongfu
To parents, I wish: Jin An Fu An.
To the elders: Kang 'an, Jun 'an, Chong 'an and Fu Yi 'an.
For female elders: Ci 'an Yi 'an Kun An Yu 'an
Between friends of the same generation, we can pay tribute to them at four points: spring will be good in summer, autumn chess will be warm in winter.
The end of the year, congratulations: Happy New Year (New Year's Day), Happy New Year (Spring Festival), Happy New Year, Happy New Year.
It is always a tribute: near the auspicious day of the ecliptic, Jishi lived in Anji, and Jiasheng worked smoothly in Taian, Daan.
Letters that can arrive on the same day, ode: good morning, good morning, good afternoon and good night.
Praise for women: An Shu makeup is safe.
For unmarried women, ode: peace of mind
For the peers whose parents are alive and enjoying the happiness under their knees, they can praise one sentence: serving safely and helping the army.
For the younger generation, I wish: learning progress, smooth work, happy life, happiness, healthy progress and chess lessons.
I wish the recipient a happy family: the Kufukangtai family.
To the recipient and his wife: Shuang An Li.
Congratulations to those who have a happy event, saying: Happy Anqing.
Congratulations on the wedding: Yan Xi
Congratulations: Lin An
For those who live at home: Tan An Tan Qi Tan Zhi
For travelers: a pleasant journey is smooth and pleasant.
Please wait for my condolences: Li Xiao.
Ask about your illness and wish you a speedy recovery.
For those who have suffered accidents, I pray: no, this is very helpful.
For the intelligentsia, what can be widely praised is: Wen 'an Daoan Yan 'an Wenqi Yaqi.
To Editor: Editor Qi, Editor An.
As a Writer: Sincerely Writing An Bijian
Being a teacher: teaching qi and teaching safety.
To soldiers: honor and honor.
Advocate political security in the political circle, advocate security and worship Qi.
For the industrial and commercial circles: to raise money, Angles wins, Qi Yingfa, Yun Qi sends, Changlong Hongyou exhibition stops, everything goes well, everything goes well, and Li Sheng is prosperous.
In ancient times, most letters and greetings were integrated into the text, and it was not until modern times that an independent greeting column was gradually formed. Therefore, if the text of the letter already contains the content of blessing, or it is a congratulatory letter itself, then one sentence can be omitted. Also, if you say "hello" at the beginning of the letter, if you write a wish at the end of the letter, it will be very cumbersome and should be avoided.
(6) Signature
Signature means signing the author's name at the bottom right of the text. If you are writing to familiar relatives and friends, you can only write your first name, not your last name; Or add your own address before your name, such as brother, nephew, night, etc. Between the title and the name, the position of the word can be slightly empty; Or write the title in small print at the top left of the name.
After the signature, you can add or not add a statement. Commonly used words are as follows:
To elders: knock on the door and pay tribute to them.
To peers: sincerely, willing to bow their heads and hold hands.
For the younger generation: the words are white and the hands are white.
Write the year, month and day of the letter after the signature or opening remarks, or write the date at the lower right of the next line of signature. In addition, you can also write down the place, atmosphere and mood of the letter after the date, such as "on the boat", "under the light" and "all is silent"
(7) Attach a greeting or greeting.
If the family members and close friends of the writer are also familiar with the recipient, add a line after the signature or attach the words of these people, such as "greetings from someone". If you should greet the recipient's family, neighbors and relatives, you can add "Please pay tribute to XXX". If you are an elder, you can say "Please greet the top four XXX" and so on.
Attachment: Examples of letters
1, Lu Xun to his mother
Dear mom, I sent a photo of a Shanghai baby the other day, and I think I have received it. A small bag, which arrived today. Sauced duck sauce meat, with white flowers yesterday, steamed not bad; Only chicken tenderloin is completely inedible. Everything else is fine. In the afternoon, I have given a copy to the third child. However, no one knows a kind of powder and how to eat it. Please get it next time you write. Shanghai has always been warm. It was windy and cold yesterday, but it was still over 50 degrees in the room. Everything in the room is safe, so please don't think about it.
Yinghai wrote a few words on another piece of paper and attached them.
Please design it specially for this Buda.
Jin' an
The male tree knocks on Guangping and welcomes the sea.
1 month 16 days
2. From to Mr. Fu (Cheng Yu):
Mr. Cheng Yu, Master Tao:
Not only received the optical instrument, but also received the instructions by hand, which was very diligent. I feel that I am not calm and calm, and I want something, but I still pray. There are many reasons for the world situation, and I hope to cherish my country.
Sue, this. Fervent hope
Teach Ann. number
Professional Mao Zedong
3. Zeng Guofan once told his son
The word Yu Jihong:
I'm worried that I haven't heard from you for a long time since I left my hometown. It is very hot today. Will you be safe on the road?
I will meet with Uncle Ruan in Jinling on the 25th, and wait for the boat to return to Anhui on the 20th, so it is appropriate. Yu and Ruan Shu were raised to the front, frightened to disgrace. In our province, modesty and respect are the main words. I want to ask my two uncles, Chen Yi and Zhi Sheng, about everything, and I have never sent anything to explain the discussion. /kloc-sunrise on 0/6,/kloc-visit on 0/7, 18,/kloc-go home on 0/9. After listening to the list letter at home in early September, you can also leave for the department. Choosing friends is the first important thing. You must choose people with lofty interests.
This order.
Ancient letters
In ancient literary works, if the word "fish and goose" appears at the same time, it must refer to letters and the story of "fish and goose delivering books". Modern people may shake their heads to show disbelief, but the ancients believed it completely.
The Book of Wild Goose Feet first read Wu Chuan, saying that Su Wu was sent to Xiongnu and detained. Huns said a lot of nice things to him, induced him to surrender, and put a knife around his neck every day to force him to surrender, but he didn't give in. Seeing that Su Wu had such a backbone, the Huns did not kill him, but exiled him to Lake Baikal to herd sheep, saying that he would not let him go until the ram could feed the lambs. Su Wu held the festival and looked south, and remained unmoved for nineteen years. Later, the Xiongnu leader was replaced and made peace with the Han Dynasty. The Han Dynasty proposed to return Su Wu to the Han Dynasty first, but the Huns rolled their eyes and said that Su Wu was dead. Chang Hui of the Han Dynasty had expected it, and swore by heaven that "the son of heaven shot wild geese in the forest, and the forest was full of silk, and his words were stronger than some ze". This is a lie, but the Huns were shocked and thought it really happened, so they let Su Wu go.
Later generations are very convinced of this. For example, Li Bai's poem "Su Wu" said: "Su Wu lived in Xiongnu for ten years." The white goose flies to the forest and delivers a letter in the air. "Autumn Wild Goose" introduced by Shen wrote: "Wild geese cross the north and come down to the cold pond, where water, sand and sleep are enough for rice and grain." Why do you go to Hengyang instead of sending letters to travelers? "Li Qingzhao's" A Piece of Plum "wrote:" Whoever sends a brocade book in the clouds will return to the West Building in the next month. "
There is no story, which was first seen in the ancient Yuefu folk song "Drinking Horses in the Great Wall Cave": "The guest came from afar and left me a pair of carp. Tell the boy to open the wooden box and write a letter with a ruler. " Kneeling for a long time, reading a dull book. What is the significance of this book? There's food on top and looks on the bottom. When I took the ruler book out and put it on my knee, I saw that I was going to add vegetables again. I was homesick. This writer is sensible and affectionate. How can he not be moved to tears? Just why send a letter in the belly of a fish? Are you afraid the messenger will see it? It's puzzling.
But the ancients also believed in it, such as the poem "Forever Prayer Clothes" written by Wang Heshang and Confucianism: "The size is in the intestines of fish, and the heart depends on the feet of geese." Wu Songming's poem "Farewell to Two Friends in Spring": "The waves turn over the clouds and scatter the sky, and the fish and geese are hard to believe." Yan Shu's poem "Butterfly Loves Flowers" said: "If you want to send a marker ruler, you can know where the mountains are long and where the water is wide."
It is also interesting for the ancients to write letters. Zhu, a poetess in Song Dynasty, married a businessman at the age of 18. The businessman put profit before separation and didn't come back for a long time. Zhu is full of tenderness. How can he be lonely? But his face was as thin as paper, and he was embarrassed to ask him to go back, so he wrote a letter, drew a circle on it, and wrote a poem on the back of the paper, saying, "If you want to send it, you might as well draw a circle." Words are outside the circle, hearts are inside the circle, one circle is me, and two circles are you. You have me in your heart, and I have you in my heart. The whole circle is reunion, and the broken circle is separation. "I walked around in circles, and you knew my thoughts in secret, as well as my endless acacia, until the end."
Sima Xiangru, a gifted scholar in Shu, passed the exam and became a corps commander. How can Sima Xiangru like the old yellow-faced woman Zhuo Wenjun? Five years later, Sima Xiangru didn't want to delay any longer. So he wrote a letter, which only contained "one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, hundred, thousand and ten thousand", meaning "You and I have nothing to say. What will happen in the future? Get ready. "
Zhuo Wenjun was heartbroken at first sight, but he learned from bitter experience that he could only be moved and do what he liked-Sima Xiangru was a great writer, he could impress him with poetry, and crying would only increase his disgust-so he wrote him a letter and used those numbers:
After a farewell, the suspense between the two places was only in March and April. Who knows that in five or six years, the lyre was unintentionally played, the eight-character script could not be passed down, and the nine-chain was interrupted. The Shili Pavilion was eager to see it, and it was hopeless. The strange lang was helpless.
I'm tired of having a thousand words to say. Yellow flowers are rare in September, Mid-Autumn Festival is not round in August, everyone shakes my heart in July and a half, pomegranate is red as fire in June, and loquat is not yellow in April. I'm confused. Go and look in the mirror. Peach blossoms fall with the water in March, and kite strings break in February. Lang Lang, I really hope that you are a woman and I am a man in the next life.
After reading it, Sima Xiangru felt guilty. Such a good wife doesn't love her, just like a bird that once loved her. Finally, she got married and took Zhuo Wenjun to the official residence.
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