服喪(ふくもう)

ふくもう
noun
mourning; bereavement period
culture
1. mourning; bereavement period
The period of mourning observed after a death, during which one refrains from celebrations and social activities.
服喪(ふくもう)中(ちゅう)は外出(がいしゅつ)を控(ひか)える。
During mourning, one refrains from going out.
祖母(そぼ)が亡(な)くなり、家族(かぞく)で服喪(ふくもう)の期間(きかん)に入(はい)った。
After our grandmother passed away, the family entered a period of mourning.
服喪(ふくもう)期間(きかん)が明(あ)けるまで、年賀状(ねんがじょう)の送付(そうふ)は控(ひか)えるのが一般的(いっぱんてき)なマナーである。
It is common etiquette to refrain from sending New Year's cards until the mourning period is over.

Refers to the formal period of mourning observed after the death of a family member or close relative. During 服喪(ふくもう), people traditionally avoid celebrations, festive events, and sending seasonal greetings.

In Japan, the mourning period (喪中(もちゅう)) typically lasts about one year for close relatives. During this time, families send 喪中(もちゅう)はがき (mourning postcards) before the New Year season to inform others that they will not be sending 年賀状(ねんがじょう) (New Year's cards).

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 喪中(もちゅう): in mourning — the state of being in mourning, used more colloquially and on postcards
  • 忌中(きちゅう): a shorter, stricter mourning period (usually 49 days) immediately following a death
  • 弔(とむら)い: mourning, condolence — focuses on the act of paying respects rather than the period

Related Words

Compare: 喪中(もちゅう) (in mourning)
Compare: 忌中(きちゅう) (a shorter, stricter mourning period…)
general
Added 2026.4.23 21:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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