Formal — to stranger
Cultural · Religion
このたびはご愁傷様でございます。心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。 — I am deeply sorry for your loss. My sincerest condolences. (Cultural · Religion, Formal — to stranger, JLPT N3)
You
このたびはご愁傷様でございます。心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。
このたびはごしゅうしょうさまでございます。こころよりおくやみもうしあげます。
I am deeply sorry for your loss. My sincerest condolences.
Romaji: Konotabi wa goshuushou-sama de gozaimasu. Kokoro yori okuyami moushiagemasu. / Reply Romaji: Arigatou gozaimasu.
Reply
ありがとうございます。
ありがとうございます。
Thank you.
Gesture & etiquette
Approach the bereaved with measured pace. Soft, quiet voice. Deep bow (30°), hold for 2 seconds. Make brief eye contact when straightening. Hands clasped lightly in front. Move on after a few seconds — do not linger to chat.
Standard condolence phrase at wakes and funerals. Said softly, with a deep bow (30°), making brief eye contact with the bereaved. Avoid casual or modern phrases. Word taboos at funerals: 重ね重ね・たびたび・しばしば・追って・続いて (repetition words suggest more deaths). Use 不幸 only carefully — '不幸があった' is okay but discuss less than the bereaved family does.