接吻を送る

11:56 Jan 11, 2021
Japanese to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - Education / Pedagogy
Japanese term or phrase: 接吻を送る
This seems to be a fairly simple phrase to translate. However, given the context (a 1940's essay), I wanted to make sure that there is no specific set phrase that the author is referring to. Here is the full sentence:

例えば、ヨーロッパ人ならば、親しい情を表わすために、手紙の末尾に「接吻を送る」というような言葉を記すけれども、日本人にはそんなことはとても気恥ずかしくて書けない。
Christina Fernandez
United States
Local time: 10:46


Summary of answers provided
4kisses or xx
[email protected] Friedman


  

Answers


30 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
kisses or xx


Explanation:
I believe the corresponding phrase is simply "kisses" and/or the abbreviation "xx."

If a letter in English is closed with "kisses" the meaning is understood and "sending" is unnecessary. In Japanese, the "送る" in "接吻を送る" is likely necessary because it is not a common phrase or concept in Japanese, so the idea has to be fully described.

Simply "kisses" or "xx" would seem to suffice and is more common today, but there appears to be variation:

In the referenced NYTimes link, Churchill writes "many kisses."

In another real example from the 1940s, the phrase "with love and kisses" is used. (iwm link)

I also included a link which has love letters from the 1950s (bigwnews). For the kisses sign off, simply 'x's appear to be used.

Given the slight variation, I do not believe there is an antiquated set phrase to use.


    https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/02/style/xx-email-signoff-signature.html, https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/letters-to-loved-ones
    https://bigwnews.com/world-news/sweet-1950s-love-letters-emerge-telling-tale-sweethearts-essex/
[email protected] Friedman
United States
Local time: 09:46
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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