心よりお悔やみ申し上げます
kokoro yori okuyami mōshiagemasu
心よりお悔やみ申し上げます (kokoro yori okuyami mōshiagemasu) is the Japanese way to say "my deepest condolences".
This phrase is a formal expression used to show sympathy and sorrow to someone who has experienced the death of a loved one.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase begins with 心より, which literally means "from the heart". The part お悔やみ申し上げます consists of the noun for condolences and a very humble verb meaning "to say" or "to offer".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
心よりお悔やみ申し上げます is a highly formal and polite expression suitable for funeral settings or formal letters of condolence. In other formal situations, you can also use ご愁傷さまです to say "I offer my heartfelt condolences."
How do you pronounce it?
kokoro yori okuyami mōshiagemasu
Did you know?
- In Japanese funeral culture, it is often considered a faux pas to say おめでとう 'congratulations' or use words like 重ね重ね 'repeatedly' because they suggest the misfortune will happen again.
- Japanese condolences are often accompanied by koden, a monetary gift in a special envelope, which is intended to help the bereaved family cover the high costs of the funeral.
- The phrase is so formal that using it with a close friend or family member can actually feel cold or distancing, as it creates a professional wall of politeness.
Examples in context
- ご愁傷さまです。どうか、お体をお大事になさってください。I offer my heartfelt condolences. Please take care of yourself.
- 心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。ご逝去された方のご冥福をお祈りいたします。I offer my sincere condolences from the bottom of my heart. I pray for the repose of the departed soul.
- お悔やみを申し上げます。お気持ちをお察しいたします。I offer my condolences. I understand how you must be feeling.
- ご愁傷様です。いつでも話を聞いてくださいね。My heartfelt condolences. Please feel free to talk to me anytime.
- 心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。Kokoro yori okuyami moushiagemasu.My deepest condolences.
- 謹んで心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。Tsutsushinde kokoro yori okuyami moushiagemasu.I offer my sincerest condolences.
- 突然のことで、心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。Totsuzen no koto de, kokoro yori okuyami moushiagemasu.It is so sudden, please accept my deepest condolences.
Example conversation
A man is offering condolences to a woman at a funeral reception.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣さん、心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。Yui-san, kokoro yori okuyami moushiagemasu.Yui, my deepest condolences.
- 結衣 Yui大翔さん、ありがとうございます。Hiroto-san, arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hirotoどうか無理をなさらないでください。Douka muri o nasaranaide kudasai.Please, don't push yourself too hard.
- 結衣 Yuiお気遣い、本当にありがとうございます。Okizukai, hontou ni arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you so much for your concern.
