1.
to pass away, to die
A polite, euphemistic way to say someone has died. More respectful than 死ぬ.
父が亡くなった。
My father passed away.
祖父は去年亡くなった。
My grandfather passed away last year.
事故で多くの人が亡くなった。
Many people died in the accident.
お母様が亡くなられたと聞きました。お悔やみ申し上げます。
I heard your mother passed away. My condolences.
Respectful form with honorific なられる
彼は若くして亡くなったが、その作品は今でも多くの人に愛されている。
Although he passed away young, his works are still loved by many people today.
TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞 (intransitive). Pattern: Xが亡くなる (X passes away).
亡くなる is the polite/euphemistic word for dying.
USAGE:
- More polite than 死ぬ
- Used when referring to someone's death respectfully
- Common in news reports and formal situations
- Often used when expressing condolences
HONORIFIC FORMS:
- 亡くなられる (honorific)
- お亡くなりになる (more honorific)
HOMOPHONE:
- 無くなる (to disappear, to run out) - different kanji
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 亡くなる: to pass away (polite)
- 死ぬ: to die (direct, can be harsh)
- 逝く: to pass (literary)