Formal — to stranger
Cultural · Greeting
この度はご愁傷さまでございます。心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。 — I am deeply sorry for your loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. (Cultural · Greeting, Formal — to stranger, JLPT N2)
You
この度はご愁傷さまでございます。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. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
Romaji: Konotabi wa goshuushou-sama de gozaimasu. Kokoro yori okuyami moushiagemasu. / Reply Romaji: Gowazawaza arigatou gozaimasu. Osore irimasu.
Reply
ご丁寧にありがとうございます。恐れ入ります。
ごていねいにありがとうございます。おそれいります。
Thank you for your kind words. We are grateful.
Gesture & etiquette
Bow about 30-45 degrees and hold for two seconds. Hands at your sides (men) or folded in front (women). Speak in a low, slow voice—almost whispered. Avoid smiling, but also avoid an overly grave expression. Hand over koden envelope with both hands, characters facing the recipient.
Two-phrase condolence formula used at wakes (通夜) and funerals (告別式). 「ご愁傷さま」 acknowledges their grief, 「お悔やみ申し上げます」 expresses your own sorrow. Avoid words that imply repetition or continuation: 「重ね重ね」「再三」「たびたび」 (suggests repeat deaths) and 「浮かばれない」「迷う」 (suggests the soul cannot rest). Keep the visit brief.