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哀弔 (aichou) Japanese meaning: sympathetic condolences | Kotomora

哀あい弔ちょう

あ

い

ちょ

う

Meanings

1

sympathetic condolences; condolence message

Formal, written term used in letters of condolence or funeral contexts. Not used in casual speech.

弔ちょう電でんには哀あい弔ちょうの言こと葉ばを添そえた。
I added words of condolence to the telegram of sympathy.

Kanji

哀pathetic, grief, sorrow
弔condolences, mourning, funeral

Related words

お悔くやみ
More common and slightly less formal expression of condolence, used in both spoken and written contexts.
弔ちょう意い
Also a formal term for condolence, but more general; 哀弔 emphasizes the sympathetic, sorrowful aspect.

Etymology

Compound of 哀 (grief, sorrow) and 弔 (mourning, condolence). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination is conventionally associated with expressing sympathy at a funeral.

哀あい弔ちょうの意いを表ひょうします。

I express my heartfelt condolences.