мои соболезнования
moi soboleznovaniya
The Russian phrase for "my condolences" is мои соболезнования (moi soboleznovaniya).
This phrase is used to express sympathy to someone who has experienced the death of a loved one. In Russian, it is more common and more natural to use a full sentence like Примите мои соболезнования (Accept my condolences) rather than just saying мои соболезнования in isolation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive pronoun мои (my) and the plural noun соболезнования (condolences/sympathies).
Which one should you use?
While мои соболезнования is a noun-based phrase, you can also use the verb form соболезную, which means "I sympathize" or "I condole."
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the imperative to ask someone to accept your condolences, the form of the verb changes based on your relationship with them. Use примите мои соболезнования (formal/plural) when speaking to someone you are not on intimate terms with. Use прими мои соболезнования (informal) only when speaking to a close friend or someone you address as ты.
How do you pronounce it?
moi soboleznovaniya
Did you know?
- The word соболезнования comes from со- (together) and болеть (to be sick or to ache). It literally means 'to suffer pain together' with another person.
- If you want to be even more traditional, you might use the phrase Светлая память (Bright memory) instead of focusing on your own condolences.
- Russian culture traditionally associates the color black with mourning, and saying мои соболезнования while wearing bright colors can be seen as a sign of disrespect.
Examples in context
- Пожалуйста, прими мои соболезнования.Please receive my condolences.This sentence is useful for practicing the request to receive condolences using мои соболезнования.Tatoeba #4030793 by marafon, translation #4030772 by Joseph
- Пожалуйста, примите мои соболезнования!Please accept my condolences!This sentence demonstrates a formal request to accept condolences using мои соболезнования.Tatoeba #3235981 by megafanat, translation #2679426 by _undertoad
- Примите, пожалуйста, мои соболезнования.Please accept my condolences.This sentence shows an alternative word order for the formal request to accept condolences using мои соболезнования.Tatoeba #4790367 by marafon, translation #4495428 by CK
- Примите мои соболезнования в связи с утратой вашего брата…Please accept my condolences on the loss of your brother…
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sergey is visiting Maria at her house after her grandfather passed away.
- Мария MariaСергей, спасибо, что пришёл.Sergey, spasibo, chto prishol.Sergey, thank you for coming.
- Сергей SergeyМария, прими мои соболезнования.Mariya, primi moi soboleznovaniya.Maria, accept my condolences.
- Мария MariaЭто очень тяжело для нас.Eto ochen' tyazhelo dlya nas.This is very hard for us.
- Сергей SergeyЯ очень тебе сочувствую.Ya ochen' tebe sochuvstvuyu.I feel deeply for you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
