Translation guide
The process of feeling deep sorrow, especially after a loss. In Japanese, expressing grief involves a range of words and phrases that differ by formality, intensity, and context.
Expressing the state of deep sadness, especially after a death or loss.
The most common verb for 'to grieve' or 'to feel sad'. Can be used for personal grief or sympathizing with others.
He is deeply grieving his wife's death.
I grieve for my friend's misfortune.
To lament or grieve, often with a sense of wailing or deep sorrow. More literary or intense than 悲しむ.
She lamented her husband's death.
To mourn or grieve for someone's death, often used in formal expressions of condolence.
I am filled with grief for the deceased.
To be lost in grief, to be overwhelmed by sadness. Describes a state of deep mourning.
He is lost in grief and can't do anything.
Condolence, mourning. Often used in compound phrases like 哀悼の意を表する (express one's condolences).
I express my condolences.
Referring to the period of mourning or the act of observing mourning customs.
Expressing grief over the loss of a pet or something deeply cherished.
Same as above, but can be used for pets or objects. No special word is needed.
The children are grieving deeply because the dog died.
Expressing that you share in someone's grief or feel sorry for their loss.
Standard formal condolence phrase. Used when speaking to the bereaved.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
A common condolence phrase, slightly less formal than お悔やみ申し上げます. Can be used in person or in writing.
My condolences on your loss.
To feel sorry for someone, to sympathize. Less formal, can be used for various misfortunes.
I feel for his situation.
悲しむ is the general verb for feeling sad or grieving. 嘆く implies lamentation and is more emotional/literary. 悼む is specifically for mourning a death and is often used in formal contexts.
English often uses 'grieving' as a noun (e.g., 'the grieving process'). In Japanese, it's more natural to use verb phrases like 悲しむこと or 喪に服す期間. There is no single noun equivalent.