<p>I have never used any of these starters, even at the time I used paper to write the letters and mailed them. I would start with something very simple, such as 张老师、李先生、王女士. Translating “dear” into Chinese makes me uncomfortable. I could be old-fashioned!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-29T13:37:15.760Z
2019-03-29T13:37:15.760Z
Xuehong Zhang
<p>"亲爱的" is equivalent to "Dear".</p>

<p>尊敬的 is a more respectful manner to start.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-28T23:25:42.647Z
2019-03-28T23:25:42.647Z
Salomon Zhang
<p>"尊敬的": to your boss or leader (the person who has power and you are not familiar with)</p>

<p>"亲爱的": to your mother or lover, etc.</p>

<p>"敬爱的": the person who teach you, guide you, and also care about you or love you. (tutor, teacher, mentor, etc.)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-29T01:01:39.693Z
2019-03-29T01:34:00.513Z
2019-03-29T01:34:00.513Z
Xuling Chang
<p>How should you start a letter in Chinese? More specifically, what's the difference between starters such as 尊敬的，亲爱的，and 敬爱的, and in which cases should you use which one?</p>

<p>写信的时候，“尊敬的”、”亲爱的“、与“敬爱的” 有什么分别？</p>

<p>Edit:
I do know that 尊 and 敬 both mean respect, and 亲 means love between friends or family.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-28T05:21:48.877Z
There is no 尊爱的. It should be 尊敬的.
fefe
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-28T12:08:17.607Z
Ah, you're right, my mistake!
mbjb
<meaning><difference>
How should you start a letter in Chinese?
# How should you start a letter in Chinese?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-03-28)

How should you start a letter in Chinese? More specifically, what's the difference between starters such as 尊敬的，亲爱的，and 敬爱的, and in which cases should you use which one?

写信的时候，“尊敬的”、”亲爱的“、与“敬爱的” 有什么分别？

Edit:
I do know that 尊 and 敬 both mean respect, and 亲 means love between friends or family.

**Tags:** meaning, difference

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: There is no 尊爱的. It should be 尊敬的.  
> **username_0**: Ah, you're right, my mistake!  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2019-03-29. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

"尊敬的": to your boss or leader (the person who has power and you are not familiar with)

"亲爱的": to your mother or lover, etc.

"敬爱的": the person who teach you, guide you, and also care about you or love you. (tutor, teacher, mentor, etc.)


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### Answer by username_2 on 2019-03-29. Score: 3

I have never used any of these starters, even at the time I used paper to write the letters and mailed them. I would start with something very simple, such as 张老师、李先生、王女士. Translating “dear” into Chinese makes me uncomfortable. I could be old-fashioned!


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### Answer by username_3 on 2019-03-28. Score: 1

"亲爱的" is equivalent to "Dear".

尊敬的 is a more respectful manner to start.


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