Translation guide
How to express that someone has died, with sensitivity to politeness, formality, and the relationship to the deceased.
My grandfather passed away.
To say that someone has died in a neutral, factual way.
The most common and neutral way to say 'pass away'. Used for anyone, polite enough for most situations.
My grandfather passed away last night.
The direct word for 'die'. Can sound blunt or insensitive when referring to people, especially in polite contexts. Use with caution.
Avoid using 死ぬ directly about someone's family member or in formal condolences; it can sound harsh.
To speak respectfully about someone's passing, often when referring to someone else's family member or in formal settings.
Honorific form of 亡くなる. Used to show respect to the deceased or their family.
To refer to death indirectly, often to soften the impact or in casual conversation.
To humbly refer to the death of one's own family member when speaking to others.
Using 亡くなる is already neutral and appropriate. No special humble verb is needed, but using humble forms for actions related to the deceased can show respect.
The verb 死ぬ (shinu) is direct and can be perceived as crude or insensitive when talking about someone's death, especially in formal situations or when offering condolences. Use 亡くなる instead.
She passed away at a young age.
He died in an accident.
I heard that your father passed away.
Formal, respectful term often used in obituaries or official announcements.
A renowned author has passed away.
Literally 'to depart this world'. Somewhat formal and literary.
My grandmother passed away peacefully.
Literally 'to take one's last breath'. A common euphemism.
He passed away surrounded by his family.
Literally 'to leave this world'. Poetic and gentle.
He quietly left this world.
Literally 'to sleep eternally'. Used in obituaries or formal announcements.
She passed away last night (eternal sleep).
My father passed away last month.
While the death itself is expressed neutrally, you can use humble verbs for your own actions related to the death, e.g., 申す (to say), いたす (to do).
My father passed away, and we held the funeral with only family.
I heard your mother passed away, please accept my deepest condolences.
亡くなる is the standard, polite way to say 'pass away'. 死ぬ is the plain verb 'to die', used for animals, in news reports, or casual talk, but can be too blunt for personal human death.