Epistolary style

Level 6Sounds Like souroubun

候文 (そうろうぶん) is the traditional formal writing style used in Japan for centuries. It is defined by ending sentences with 候 (そうろう), which functions similarly to the modern polite copula です or ます.

How It Works

候文（そうろうぶん） is a high-level literary style that was the backbone of Japanese written communication from the 12th century until the mid-20th century.

1. The Role of 候（そうろう）:
The word 候 is an auxiliary verb derived from the classical verb 候ふ（さぶらう） (to serve). In this style, it acts as a politeness marker. It is typically attached to the continuative form of verbs or follows nouns via particles like に or にて.

2. Grammatical Structure:
Unlike modern Japanese, which uses distinct past tense markers like 〜ました, this style often uses the terminal form 候 for both present and past actions, with the specific tense inferred from context. It frequently employs Sino-Japanese vocabulary and specific set phrases such as 御座候（ござそうろう）, the ancestor of でございます.

3. Historical Context:
While it looks like Kanbun because it is often written entirely in Kanji, the syntax is strictly Japanese. It was used by all literate classes for everything from marriage certificates to village petitions. It was eventually replaced by movements that sought to align written Japanese with the spoken language.

Examples (3)

  1. 委細は面談の上、申し上げ候。

    The details shall be conveyed upon our meeting.

    Word by Word: Details (topic) meeting upon, say-humbly [polite-auxiliary].

    This uses the humble verb 申し上げる（もうしあげる） in its continuative form followed by 候（そうろう）. It is a standard way to conclude a formal statement in a letter.

  2. 此券引かへに銀貨壱圓相渡可申候也。

    This note shall be exchanged for one silver yen.

    Word by Word: This note exchange-in silver-coin one-yen hand-over shall [formal] [polite-auxiliary] [copula].

    Found on Meiji-era currency, this demonstrates the use of 候（そうろう） in official government documents. Note the use of classical particles and auxiliary verbs like 可（べし） and 也（なり）.

  3. 追って沙汰致し候。

    I will contact you later with further instructions.

    Word by Word: Later instructions do [polite-auxiliary].

    致し（いたし） is the continuative form of いたす (to do). This is a common formal phrase used in official correspondence.

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming 候（そうろう） is always present tense.

    昨日、手紙を書き候。(Interpreted only as 'I write a letter yesterday')
    昨日、手紙を書き候。(Correctly interpreted as 'I wrote a letter yesterday')

    In this style, the tense is often not explicitly marked on the verb ending. 候（そうろう） can represent past, present, or future depending entirely on the surrounding context and time markers.

  • Confusing this style with pure Classical Chinese (Kanbun).

    Writing in SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) order.
    Writing in SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) order ending in 候（そうろう）.

    While this style uses many kanji, it follows Japanese word order. If you use Chinese word order, it becomes Kanbun style, not 候文（そうろうぶん）.

How It Connects

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Epistolary styleLevel 6

Learn This First

Sorobun (Epistolary Style) is a classical form of formal writing used in letters and documents until the early 20th century. To understand it, learners must be proficient in modern honorifics (Keigo), as the style is built on extreme politeness. Additionally, knowledge of written-style sentence connections and formal copulas is necessary to grasp how the 'soro' auxiliary verb functions as a polite ending similar to 'desu' or 'masu'.

Words in This Pattern

候文