мои́ соболе́знования
moí soboléznovanijaneuter, plural
The English phrase "condolences" is translated into Russian as мои́ соболе́знования (moí soboléznovanija).
This phrase is used as a funeral expression. You can use the standalone phrase мои́ соболе́знования to mean "My condolences," or expand it into more structured sentences such as Примите мои соболезнования (Accept my condolences) or Выражаю искренние соболезнования (I express my sincere condolences).
Meaning: funeral expression (intj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term соболе́знования is formal. It is appropriate for serious contexts such as funerals, official letters or when speaking to someone you do not know intimately.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form мои́ соболе́знования is a neuter plural noun phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
moí soboléznovanija
Did you know?
- It is a common Russian custom to bring an even number of flowers to a funeral, as odd numbers are reserved for the living.
- Russians typically do not use соболезнования for the death of a pet, as the word is strictly reserved for human loss.
- In a traditional Russian Orthodox funeral, it is more common to offer a prayer or say Царствие Небесное ('Kingdom of Heaven') than to use the word соболезнования.
Example sentences for Russian are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “condolences” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
