節哀順變
zit3 oi1 seon6 bin3
The Cantonese phrase for "sorry for your loss" is 節哀順變 (zit3 oi1 seon6 bin3).
節哀順變 is used to offer condolences to someone who is grieving the death of a loved one. It is a polite and formal way to express sympathy when speaking directly to the bereaved or when writing a sympathy card.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means to restrain one's grief and adapt to the changes brought by life.
How does it change in a sentence?
This phrase is a four-character idiom and is used as a complete, standalone expression of sympathy.
How do you pronounce it?
zit3 oi1 seon6 bin3
Did you know?
- In Cantonese culture, expressing condolences is often accompanied by the giving of 'white envelopes' containing money, as white is the traditional color of mourning.
- The character 節 in 節哀順變 means to 'moderate' or 'economize', suggesting that grief should be managed in a measured way rather than expressed wildly.
- Depending on the region, speakers may follow 節哀順變 with a wish for the deceased to 'rest in peace', expressed as 一路好走, which literally means 'walk well on your way'.
Examples in context
- 請節哀順變。cing2 zit3 oi1 seon6 bin3.Please accept my condolences.
Example conversation
Ka Ming visits Ka Yan to offer support after a family death.
- 家明 Ka Ming嘉欣，聽到消息我好難過，請節哀順變。ga1 jan1, ting1 dou3 siu1 sik1 ngo5 hou2 naan4 gwo3, cing2 zit3 oi1 seon6 bin3.Ka Yan, I was so sad to hear the news, please accept my condolences.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan多謝你咁關心我。do1 ze6 nei5 gam3 gwaan1 sam1 ngo5.Thank you for caring about me so much.
- 家明 Ka Ming如果你需要幫手，隨時話我知。jyu4 gwo2 nei5 seoi1 jiu3 bong1 sau2, seoi4 si4 waa6 ngo5 zi1.If you need any help, let me know anytime.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan好，我會嘅。hou2, ngo5 wui5 ge3.Okay, I will.
