かたがた | Grammar

Structure

[noun] + かたがた

Description

AかたがたB means you do B and use it to do A as well: a visit that is also a thank-you, a letter that is also a report. It follows a noun, usually a formal one such as おれいお礼, ごあいさつご挨拶, ごほうこく報告 or おみまいお見舞い, and B is usually a visit or a letter.

、。

I have come to visit, and to thank you.

、。

I called at my teacher's home, partly to see how he was.

、。

I am writing to you, partly to let you know how things stand.

かたがた takes a noun, never a verb.

× お礼を言うかたがた、伺いました → お礼かたがた、伺いました

Register

かたがた belongs to business letters, formal greetings and humble speech, next to verbs like うかがう伺う and さしあげる差し上げる. Both purposes are meant from the start; neither is an afterthought. With an everyday noun like さんぽ散歩 it sounds stiff, and for an errand on the way you say がてら or ついでに.

、。

I went for a walk and stopped at a bookshop on the way.

、。

I was in the area, so I took the liberty of dropping in to say hello.

A formal letter often closes by joining two nouns with かたがた: thanks and greetings sent together.

。

Please accept this letter in place of a visit, with my thanks and my greetings.

Examples

、。

I visited the teacher's home, partly to express my gratitude.

、。

I would like to call at your new office, partly to pay my respects.

、。

I was in the area, so I took the liberty of dropping in to say hello.

、。

I visited my friend's new home, partly to offer my congratulations.

、。

I am writing this letter, partly to give you an update.

、。

I visited my hospitalized colleague, partly to pay a get-well visit.

、。

I went to greet our business partner while also traveling.

、。

I called at my old teacher's home, partly to tell him I had found a job.

、。

I visited them with a box of sweets, partly to offer my apologies.

、。

I came to greet those who have helped me, partly as a farewell visit.

。

Please accept this letter in place of a visit, with my thanks and my greetings.

References

かたがたBunpro