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.
彼は妻の死を深く悲しんでいる。
He is deeply grieving his wife's death.
友達の不幸を悲しむ。
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.
彼女は夫の死を嘆き悲しんだ。
She lamented her husband's death.
To mourn or grieve for someone's death, often used in formal expressions of condolence.
故人を悼む気持ちでいっぱいです。
I am filled with grief for the deceased.
To be lost in grief, to be overwhelmed by sadness. Describes a state of deep mourning.
彼は悲しみに暮れて、何も手につかない。
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).
哀悼の意を表します。
I express my condolences.
Referring to the period of mourning or the act of observing mourning customs.
Mourning. Used in compounds like 喪中 (period of mourning) or 喪服 (mourning clothes).
喪中なので、新年の挨拶は控えます。
Since we are in mourning, we will refrain from New Year's greetings.
To observe mourning, to be in mourning. A formal phrase.
彼は喪に服している。
He is in mourning.
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.
犬が死んで、子供たちはとても悲しんでいる。
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.
心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。
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.
この度はご愁傷様です。
My condolences on your loss.
To feel sorry for someone, to sympathize. Less formal, can be used for various misfortunes.
彼の状況を気の毒に思う。
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.