Which one should you use?
A very common and slightly more natural-sounding alternative to using kondolencje is the phrase wyrazy współczucia, which means "expressions of sympathy".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Moje kondolencje is a formal way to express sympathy and is appropriate when speaking to someone you are not close with or during funeral services. For a more formal setting, you might use the phrase Pragnę złożyć kondolencje ("I wish to offer condolences"). In more informal situations, you can say Jestem z Tobą w tym trudnym czasie ("I am with you in this difficult time") or Przesyłam Ci wiele ciepła ("Sending you warmth").
Related words
When do people say it?
When expressing sympathy in Polish, you might say Najszczersze kondolencje ("Deepest condolences") or W całym tym smutnym czasie jestem z wami ("I am with you during this sad time").
Did you know?
- In rural Poland, the formal moje kondolencje may be replaced by a silent gesture or a simple szczęść Boże if the deceased was a devout Catholic.
- The word kondolencje was borrowed into Polish from the German word 'Kondolenz'.
- In Poland, the formal phrase moje kondolencje is often accompanied by a firm handshake and a slight nod, rather than a hug, which is reserved for very close family members.
Examples in context
- Moje kondolencje!My condolences!This example shows how to use the phrase moje kondolencje.Tatoeba #6160748 by arie, translation #629043 by Eldad
- Pragnę złożyć kondolencje z powodu śmierci Pana/Pani ojca. W całym tym smutnym czasie jestem z Państwem.I wish to offer my condolences on the death of your father. I am with you during this sad time.
- Przyjmij, proszę, moje kondolencje.Please, accept my condolences.
- Składam moje kondolencje całej rodzinie.I offer my condolences to the whole family.
Example conversation
Tomasz meets Agnieszka at a funeral service.
- TomaszAgnieszko, przyjmij moje kondolencje.Agnieszka, please accept my condolences.
- AgnieszkaDziękuję ci, Tomaszu.Thank you, Tomasz.
- TomaszBardzo mi przykro z tego powodu.I am very sorry about this.
- AgnieszkaTo był bardzo dobry człowiek.He was a very good man.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “condolences” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kondolencje, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
