お悔(く)やみ

おくやみ
noun
condolence; sympathy
formalpolitesocietyculture
1. condolence; words of sympathy
An expression of sympathy offered to someone who has lost a loved one. The お prefix makes it polite. Used both as a noun and in set phrases when offering condolences.
お悔(く)やみを申(もう)し上(あ)げます。
I offer my condolences.
友人(ゆうじん)の家族(かぞく)にお悔(く)やみの手紙(てがみ)を書(か)いた。
I wrote a letter of condolence to my friend's family.
突然(とつぜん)の訃報(ふほう)に接(せっ)し、心(こころ)よりお悔(く)やみを申(もう)し上(あ)げます。
Upon receiving the sudden news of the passing, I offer my heartfelt condolences.

Register

お悔(く)やみ is inherently polite due to the お prefix. The most common set phrase is お悔(く)やみを申(もう)し上(あ)げます, a formal expression used at funerals and in writing.

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: 哀悼(あいとう) (condolence (formal/official))
Compare: 弔意(ちょうい) (condolence)
Related: 弔問(ちょうもん) (condolence visit)
general
Added 2026.3.8 22:21 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
15500/15866_okuyami