弔問
ちょうもん
noun
condolence visit; call of condolence; visit of mourning
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 弔問する | 弔問しない |
| Present polite | 弔問します | 弔問しません |
| Past | 弔問した | 弔問しなかった |
| Past polite | 弔問しました | 弔問しませんでした |
| て form | 弔問して | 弔問しなくて |
| ている present | 弔問している | 弔問していない |
| ている polite | 弔問しています | 弔問していません |
| ている past | 弔問していた | 弔問していなかった |
| ている past polite | 弔問していました | 弔問していませんでした |
| Conditional ば | 弔問すれば | 弔問しなければ |
| Conditional たら | 弔問したら | 弔問しなかったら |
| Volitional | 弔問しよう | — |
| Volitional polite | 弔問しましょう | — |
| Potential | 弔問できる | 弔問できない |
| Passive | 弔問される | 弔問されない |
| Causative | 弔問させる | 弔問させない |
| Imperative | 弔問しろ | 弔問するな |
1.
condolence visit; call of condolence; visit of mourning
A formal visit to a bereaved family to express condolences after someone's death. In Japan, a 弔問 visitor may come to the family's home before the funeral or to the funeral venue itself to offer incense, prayers, and sympathy to the family of the deceased.
弔問に伺う。
To pay a visit of condolence.
弔問客が次々と訪れた。
Condolence visitors came one after another.
故人のご自宅に弔問するときは、地味な服装で伺う。
When making a condolence visit to the deceased's home, you should go in plain, subdued clothing.
通夜や葬儀に参列できない場合は、後日弔問に伺うこともある。
If you cannot attend the wake or funeral, you may pay a condolence visit at a later date.
Formed from 弔 (to mourn, to condole) + 問 (to visit, to inquire). A formal term used in contexts of bereavement.
USAGE:
- Can be used as a suru-verb: 弔問する (to pay a condolence visit). The verb 伺う is also common in the phrase 弔問に伺う.
- Typical timing is either before the wake (通夜) at the bereaved family's home, or after the funeral if the mourner could not attend in person.
- Visitors usually bring 香典 (a monetary condolence offering) and wear subdued 略式喪服 (semi-formal mourning clothes) rather than the full black suit worn at the funeral itself.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 弔問に伺う: to go / call to pay condolences (humble form)
- 弔問客: a mourner calling to offer condolences
- 弔問に訪れる: to visit in condolence
- 弔問を受ける: to receive condolence visitors
- 弔問の手紙: letter of condolence
RELATED TERMS:
- 通夜: wake — the evening gathering held before a funeral
- 葬儀 / 葬式: funeral ceremony
- 香典: condolence money given at a funeral
- お悔やみ: expression of condolence — the words spoken or written
- 焼香: the burning of incense before the deceased's altar