お悔やみ申し上げます
okuyami moushiagemasu
In Japanese, "my condolences" is expressed as お悔やみ申し上げます (okuyami moushiagemasu).
This phrase is used specifically to express sympathy regarding a death, rather than general sympathy for other misfortunes.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 'okuyami' (condolences/regret) and 'moushiagemasu' (a humble form of 'to say' or 'to offer').
Which one should you use?
While both お悔やみ申し上げます and ご愁傷様です can be used to mean "I offer my deepest condolences", they are distinct expressions.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
お悔やみ申し上げます is a highly formal and polite expression suitable for funeral settings, letters of condolence or speaking to someone of higher status. ご愁傷様です is also a formal way to express condolences.
How do you pronounce it?
okuyami moushiagemasu
Did you know?
- When writing a formal condolence letter, Japanese people traditionally omit all periods and commas. This signifies that the sorrow is continuous and should not be interrupted or 'cut' by punctuation marks.
- When giving condolence money called koden, it is customary to use a special envelope with black and silver or white ribbons, as bright colors are strictly avoided.
- When using お悔やみ申し上げます, it is customary to omit all unnecessary adjectives or excessive emotions. In Japanese funeral etiquette, a calm and restrained demeanor is considered more respectful than an overt display of grief.
Examples in context
- 謹んでお悔やみ申し上げます。Tsutsushinde okuyami mōshiagemasu.I offer my sincere condolences.
- 心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。Kokoro yori okuyami mōshiagemasu.I offer my condolences from the bottom of my heart.
- 改めてお悔やみ申し上げます。Aratamete okuyami mōshiagemasu.I offer my condolences once again.
Example conversation
Ren visits Himari at her home to express sympathy after her father's passing.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵さん、心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。Himari-san, kokoro yori okuyami mōshiagemasu.Himari, I offer my condolences from the bottom of my heart.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さん、ありがとうございます。Ren-san, arigatō gozaimasu.Ren, thank you.
- 蓮 Ren何か手伝えることがあれば言ってください。Nanika tetsudaeru koto ga areba itte kudasai.Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
- 陽葵 Himariお気持ちだけ、ありがたく受け取ります。Okimochi dake, arigataku uketorimasu.I appreciate your kind thoughts.
