Translation guide
In Japanese, referring to 'the deceased' depends heavily on context, relationship, and formality. There is no single direct equivalent; instead, different words and strategies are used in legal, news, personal, and ritual settings.
To refer to a person who has died in a neutral, factual way, often in news or everyday conversation.
The most common and neutral term for 'the deceased', used in obituaries, news, and general conversation. It is respectful but not overly formal.
故人の遺志を尊重します。
We will respect the wishes of the deceased.
A plain, everyday phrase meaning 'the person who died'. It is softer and more personal than 故人, often used in casual conversation.
亡くなった人はとても優しい方でした。
The deceased was a very kind person.
A formal, statistical term for 'the deceased' or 'fatality', used in reports, news, and official documents. It sounds impersonal and is not used in personal contexts.
事故による死亡者は3名です。
There are three deceased from the accident.
To refer to the deceased in legal, police, or formal administrative settings.
Legal term for 'the deceased' in inheritance contexts, meaning 'the person whose estate is being inherited'.
被相続人の財産を分割します。
We will divide the deceased's assets.
Used when the deceased is a victim of a crime or accident. It means 'victim' and is common in police and news reports.
To refer to the deceased in a religious or ritual setting, especially during funerals and memorial services.
Also used in Buddhist contexts, 故人 is the standard respectful term for the deceased during funerals and memorials.
故人の冥福を祈ります。
We pray for the repose of the deceased's soul.
A more poetic and emotional term for 'the deceased', often used in speeches or writings to express personal feelings.
Literally 'Buddha', but commonly used to refer to the deceased in a respectful, religious sense, implying they have become a Buddha. Used in family settings.
To humbly refer to one's own deceased relative when speaking to others.
Humble term for 'my late father'. Used in formal introductions or when mentioning one's deceased father to outsiders.
亡父がお世話になりました。
My late father was in your care.
Humble term for 'my late mother'.
亡母の遺品を整理しています。
I am sorting through my late mother's belongings.
A prefix meaning 'late' or 'deceased', used with family terms like 亡き父 (なきちち) or 亡き母 (なきはは). Slightly less formal than 亡父/亡母.
亡き母の教えを守っています。
I follow the teachings of my late mother.
To respectfully refer to the deceased family member of someone you are speaking to or about.
A respectful circumlocution meaning 'your late ~'. It avoids direct terms and shows politeness.
お亡くなりになったお父様のご冥福をお祈りします。
I pray for the soul of your late father.
Prefix meaning 'the late', attached to names or titles. E.g., 故田中さん (the late Mr. Tanaka). Used in formal announcements.
故山田社長の功績を称えます。
We honor the achievements of the late President Yamada.
To refer to the deceased in a journalistic context, often with specific terms for victims or casualties.
Means 'victim' or 'casualty', used for those who died in disasters, accidents, or crimes. It emphasizes the loss of life.
地震の犠牲者は100人を超えました。
The number of deceased in the earthquake exceeded 100.
Direct term for 'the dead' or 'fatalities', common in news headlines and reports. It is factual and impersonal.
事故で死者が出ました。
There were fatalities in the accident.
English often uses 'the deceased' as a noun phrase, but Japanese rarely uses a single equivalent in all contexts. Using 死亡者 in casual conversation sounds cold and bureaucratic. Choose the term based on relationship and setting.
故人 is the standard respectful term suitable for most situations, including obituaries and formal speech. 亡くなった人 is softer and more personal, often used when speaking emotionally or informally. 死亡者 is impersonal and statistical.
When referring to a specific deceased person known to the listener, it is common to use their name with さん or their title, plus a phrase like 亡くなった (e.g., 亡くなった田中さん). This is more natural than a generic term.
故人は愛された教師でした。
The deceased was a beloved teacher.
故人の遺志を尊重しなければなりません。
We must respect the wishes of the deceased.
The deceased victim has been identified.
We gathered to remember the deceased.
I will offer incense to the deceased.