逝去(せいきょ)

せいきょ
noun, verb (suru)
passing away; death (honorific)
1. passing away; death
An honorific term for someone's death, used to show respect for the deceased. Commonly used in formal announcements, obituaries, and news reporting about notable people.
先生(せんせい)が逝去(せいきょ)された。
The professor passed away.
享年(きょうねん)八十五(はちじゅうご)歳(さい)で逝去(せいきょ)されました。
He passed away at the age of eighty-five.
著名(ちょめい)な作家(さっか)の逝去(せいきょ)を悼(いた)み、各地(かくち)で追悼(ついとう)式(しき)が行(おこな)われた。
Memorial services were held across the country to mourn the passing of the renowned author.

USAGE NOTES:
逝去(せいきょ) is an honorific (respectful) term for death. It elevates the deceased and should not be used when referring to one's own family members' deaths (use 亡(な)くなる instead) or in casual conversation.

FORMALITY:

This word belongs to formal/respectful register. In descending formality:

  • 逝去(せいきょ) (honorific, for respected persons)
  • 死去(しきょ) (neutral-formal, news reporting)
  • 亡(な)くなる (standard polite)
  • 死(し)ぬ (plain/blunt)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 逝去(せいきょ)される (to pass away — honorific form)
  • 逝去(せいきょ)の知(し)らせ (news of someone's passing)
  • ご逝去(せいきょ) (passing — with honorific prefix)

Often seen in the set phrase ご逝去(せいきょ)を悼(いた)み (mourning the passing of...).

general
Added 2026.2.28 22:09
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