お悔やみ申し上げます
okuyami mōshiagemasu
The Japanese phrase for "sorry for your loss" is お悔やみ申し上げます (okuyami mōshiagemasu).
This phrase is used to express sympathy after someone has passed away. It is specifically for offering condolences rather than a general apology for a mistake.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of お悔やみ (condolences/regret) and mōshiagemasu (a humble form of "to say" or "to offer").
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 or formal letters of condolence. Another formal expression you may encounter is Goshushousama deshita (ご愁傷さまでした), which also means "I express my deepest condolences."
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb mōshiagemasu is in the polite/humble form, which is necessary when expressing sympathy to show respect to the bereaved.
How do you pronounce it?
okuyami mōshiagemasu
When do people say it?
It is customary to offer a small gift of condolence, known as koden, to the grieving family.
Did you know?
- Japanese etiquette suggests avoiding the repetition of words like 重ね重ね ('again and again') when offering condolences, as repeating a word is seen as inviting the tragedy to happen again.
- If you are writing a formal condolence note, you should avoid using any punctuation like periods or commas, as these can symbolize 'cutting' or 'stopping' the connection to the person who has passed.
- The term ご愁傷さまでした is occasionally used sarcastically in modern Japanese pop culture to mock someone's misfortune, whereas お悔やみ申し上げます remains strictly solemn.
Examples in context
- 心からお悔やみ申し上げます。Kokoro kara okuyami moushiagemasu.I offer my sincere condolences.
- 突然のことで、お悔やみ申し上げます。Totsuzen no koto de, okuyami moushiagemasu.It was so sudden, I offer my condolences.
- 謹んでお悔やみ申し上げます。Tsutsushinde okuyami moushiagemasu.I offer my respectful condolences.
Example conversation
At a funeral reception, a colleague offers condolences to a coworker.
- 陽葵 Himariこの度は、心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。Kono tabi wa, kokoro yori okuyami moushiagemasu.I offer my sincere condolences on this occasion.
- 健太 Kentaありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
- 陽葵 Himariどうぞ無理をなさらないでくださいね。Douzo muri o nasaranaide kudasai ne.Please do not overwork yourself.
- 健太 Kentaはい、お気遣いありがとうございます。Hai, okizukai arigatou gozaimasu.Yes, thank you for your concern.
