故こ人じん

noun

the deceased; the departed

A respectful or formal noun for a person who has died. Often used when speaking about the person with consideration, as in 故人をしのぶ or 故人の遺志.

• 親しん族ぞくや友ゆう人じんが集あつまり、故こ人じんをしのんだ。

  Relatives and friends gathered to remember the deceased.

• 私わたしたちは故こ人じんの遺い志しを受うけ継つぎたいと思おもっています。

  We hope to carry on the wishes of the departed.

noun

old friend; longtime acquaintance

Dated use meaning an old friend or long-standing acquaintance. In modern Japanese, 旧友 or 古い友人 is normally used instead; 故人 is now overwhelmingly understood as 'the deceased.'

• 古ふるい文ぶん章しょうでは、故こ人じんが「古ふるくからの友ゆう人じん」を指さすことがある。

  In older writing, 故人 can refer to a friend of long standing.