If are giving somebody a book, what do you write in it?

[hbuchtel]

I'm looking for a resource (preferably online) that gives examples of what to write in a book that you are giving to somebody as a gift.

I recently found myself at a complete loss as to what to write when presenting a book (as a gift and introduction) to a respected old TCM physician - fortunately somebody came to my rescue and I just copied what they told me to write, but I would like to be better prepared next time!

[Meng Lelan]

This has to be the first time I've seen a question on this in the forums, even though 20 years ago I was constantly writing inscriptions like that in books to be given to friends and colleagues (and they were doing same to me likewise). Generally you will write this on the first blank page of the book or the title page of the book). Do this below the title. Write out the person's full name and their title (doctor, teacher, etc). When signing your name shift it a bit to the right. If you are giving on behalf of a place you represent, sign off with the name of the place. Date it last. Here's an example.

贈給：

名字+醫生/女士/老師 留念。

孟樂嵐

年/月/日

[hbuchtel]

Thanks, that one looks quite flexible and applicable in many different situations. Easy to remember, too!

If I recall correctly, what I was told to write in the book was "师爷，请您提意见！" or “请指导！” with my name and the date. I'm a student of one of the recipient's official disciples, and the book in question was an English translation of a classical work (《伤寒论》) that the recipient is a expert in. It was probably this special situation that called for an unusual . . .

You know, I cannot even think of what this kind of thing is called in English! Inscription? I think it is called 题词 in Chinese, but my dictionaries call that 'prompt', which is a different usage.

[skylee]

I think it is called 题词 in Chinese

I don't think so.

[xiaocai]

Or you can try:

某某(先生/女士)惠存

xiaocai敬赠

I think this is a more general format, which can be use not only for books but virtually any kind of gift. (On second thought maybe not very suitable when the gift is consumable...)

[Meng Lelan]

I think in English you call it an inscription. Giving each other books as a gift used to quite common between friends and colleagues in China (don't know if that's so anymore nowadays) and inscriptions were almost always expected and appreciated. They give the understanding that the book is a gift and a way of remembering the friendship and professional relationship.

[roddy]

I'd call it an inscription. I had a look to see if this book had a specific section - it doesn't, but if you're coming up against this kind of stuff often it might still be worth a look, covers quite a lot of practical situations. Was first recommended on here years back.

[Kenny同志]

deleted

[Meng Lelan]

For what it's worth, traditional Chinese is preferred for this purpose.

Not really, maybe among the older generation though. My friends and I all inscribed in simplified Chinese because we were in the mainland and were gifting each other with mainland published books.

[imron]

@Kenny, is 恩师 appropriate if you are gifting it to your teacher's teacher (ie your 师爷) as was the case for the OP?

[Kenny同志]

No, my bad.

[Kenny同志]

I hope my suggestion hasn't been taken yet. I am really sorry for misunderstanding the OP's post.

[hbuchtel]

Many thanks for the suggestions here! I used one of them earlier this week, and before writing the actual inscription prepared by creating a page on www.hanzigrids.com, with the result that my handwriting actually looked pretty decent for a change.

I recently came across the following inscription in a used book:

"具曾 李大夫阅 (name, date)"

I'm actually not too sure about '具' - I've attached a photo and would appreciate any second opinions.

[Kenny同志]

It's the traditional Chinese character 贈, not 具曾.

The whole set of 醫宗金鑒 must be pretty expensive, I guess.

[hbuchtel]

It's the traditional Chinese character 贈, not 具曾.

ha ha . . . thanks!

Can you tell what the relationship was between the two people from the way this inscription was written?

[Kenny同志]

Judging from the inscription, they might be colleagues; it’s less likely they were student and teacher but the possibility can’t be ruled out completely.

Anyway, I wouldn’t write that way if I am going to present a book to my teacher.

[hbuchtel]

I got the impression that the person giving the book was suggesting that reading this book would be helpful for the recipient, which made me think that the person giving the book was older or in a higher position. Does that seem accurate?

This reprint of 医宗金鉴 is from 1973, and at that time each book (there are a total of five in the set) cost only 1.40 yuan. I bought this one on kongfz.com for 20 yuan, IIRC. A set of the originals would be very expensive!

[Kenny同志]

I got the impression that the person giving the book was suggesting that reading this book would be helpful for the recipient, which made me think that the person giving the book was older or in a higher position. Does that seem accurate?

There're a few possiblities, this being one of them.