lamento tu pérdida
/lamento tu peɾdida/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "I am sorry for your loss" is expressed as lamento tu pérdida.
This phrase is used to express sympathy to someone whose loved one has died. While lamento tu pérdida is a specific expression of sympathy for a death, lo siento is a more general way to say "I am sorry" for any unfortunate situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from the verb lamentar (to regret/lament) and the noun pérdida (loss).
How does it change in a sentence?
Replacing tu with su makes the phrase lamento su pérdida formal, which is more appropriate when speaking to an acquaintance, an elder or someone in a professional setting.
How do you pronounce it?
/lamento tu peɾdida/
When do people say it?
A common, more formal alternative used in many Spanish-speaking cultures to express sympathy is mi más sentido pésame.
Did you know?
- The word pésame in mi más sentido pésame is derived from the phrase que pesen mis palabras, meaning 'may my words carry weight' or 'feel the weight of my sympathy'.
- While English speakers often say 'I am sorry' to express sympathy, using the English meaning of 'sorry' (feeling regret for a mistake) in the Spanish equivalent lo siento can sometimes sound as if you are apologizing for the death itself.
- In some Latin American traditions, it is common to say mi más sentido pésame while kissing the cheek of the bereaved person, even in formal settings.
Examples in context
- Lamento tu pérdida, amiga.I am sorry for your loss, my friend.
- Lamento tu pérdida y te acompaño en tu dolor.I am sorry for your loss and I am with you in your grief.
- Siento mucho lo ocurrido, lamento tu pérdida.I am so sorry about what happened, I am sorry for your loss.
Example conversation
Alejandro visits Sofía after she lost a close family member.
- AlejandroSofía, lamento tu pérdida.Sofía, I am sorry for your loss.
- SofíaGracias, Alejandro, es un momento muy difícil.Thank you, Alejandro, it is a very difficult moment.
- AlejandroSi necesitas algo, cuenta conmigo.If you need anything, count on me.
- SofíaTe agradezco mucho tu apoyo.I thank you very much for your support.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
