お悔やみ申し上げます
okuyami mōshiagemasu
The Japanese phrase for condolences is お悔やみ申し上げます (okuyami mōshiagemasu).
お悔やみ申し上げます is a formal phrase used to convey 'I offer my heartfelt condolences.'
Meaning: funeral expression (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of okuyami (condolences/regret) and mōshiagemasu (a humble form of 'to say/offer').
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お悔やみ申し上げます is a formal expression used in official or polite settings to express sympathy. For a formal way to convey 'I extend my deepest sympathies,' you may also use ご愁傷様です. There is an informal variation, ご愁傷さま, which can be used with someone you are on familiar terms with.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb mōshiagemasu is in the polite/humble form, making the entire expression highly respectful toward the bereaved.
How do you pronounce it?
okuyami mōshiagemasu
When do people say it?
Other formal ways to express sympathy or well-wishes include ご冥福をお祈りいたします, which means 'May their soul rest in peace.'
Did you know?
- While 'condolences' is often a verbal expression, in Japan it is common to express sympathy through the act of sending 'kōden', a gift of cash in a special paper envelope.
- In a professional Japanese email, condolences are often placed at the very beginning of the message, overriding the standard business greeting of 'thank you for your continued support'.
- While お悔やみ is standard, some Japanese families who follow Shinto or Christian traditions may find Buddhist-specific phrases like ご冥福 inappropriate.
Examples in context
- 心からお悔やみ申し上げます。Please accept my sincerest condolences.This sentence is useful for expressing sincerest condolences using お悔やみ申し上げます.Tatoeba #145612 by small_snow, translation #268950 by CM
- 謹んでお悔やみ申し上げます。tsutsushinde okuyami mōshiagemasu.I offer my sincere condolences.
- 改めてお悔やみ申し上げます。aratamete okuyami mōshiagemasu.I offer my condolences once again.
Example conversation
Yui visits Hiroto at his home after his father's passing.
- 結衣 Yuiこの度は、心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。kono tabi wa, kokoro yori okuyami mōshiagemasu.I offer my deepest condolences for your loss.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣さん、お越しいただきありがとうございます。Yui-san, okoshi itadaki arigatō gozaimasu.Thank you for coming, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui大変でしたね。何か手伝えることはありますか？taihen deshita ne. nani ka tetsudaeru koto wa arimasu ka?It must have been very difficult. Is there anything I can do to help?
- 大翔 Hirotoいえ、大丈夫ですよ。お気持ちだけいただきます。ie, daijōbu desu yo. okimochi dake itadakimasu.No, I am fine. I appreciate your kind thoughts.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
