喪
Meanings
1
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
mourning; bereavement
Refers to the state of mourning a death, or the period of mourning. Often used in compounds like 喪中 (period of mourning) or 喪服 (mourning dress).
He is in mourning.
Because I am in mourning, I will refrain from New Year's greetings.
2
archaic
Only with reading も
Archaic noun meaning calamity or misfortune, restricted to the reading も. Not used in modern Japanese outside of historical or literary contexts.
In classical language, 喪 can be used to mean calamity.
Usage patterns
- 喪が明けるfor the period of mourning to end
The year-long period of mourning has come to an end.
- 喪を出す(of a household) to have a death in the family and be in mourning
The house next door had a death in the family last month.