← Back to Glossary
弔意
[choi] - condolences or sympathy

弔意 (choi) refers to "condolences" or "sympathy" in English. It is the expression of sorrow and sympathy towards someone who has experienced a loss, particularly the death of a loved one. In Japanese culture, expressing choi is an important aspect of social etiquette and shows respect and support for the bereaved.

When someone passes away, it is customary to convey choi through various means, such as sending condolence messages, offering flowers, or attending the funeral service. These gestures help to comfort those who are grieving and acknowledge their loss.

Expressions of choi can be conveyed verbally or in writing, often using formal and respectful language. Phrases like "ご愁傷様です" (Goshusho-sama desu), meaning "I am deeply sorry for your loss," are commonly used.


Spend more time enjoying Japan 🍺
...And less time struggling with your Japanese mail. Get all your Japanese mail handled and conbini bills paid with Japan's #1 bilingual virtual mail service. Starts from only $25/mo.✨

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Handling of Personal Information.

See Also

生年月日  [seinengappi] - date of birth

生年月日 (seinengappi) is a Japanese term that means "date of birth." When writing a date of birth in Japanese, the standard format is year, month, and day, in that order. The year is typically written in the Western calendar year format or using the Japanese era name.

For example, January 1, 2000, would be written as 2000年1月1日 or 平成12年1月1日 (Heisei 12 nen 1 gatsu 1 nichi), where "年" (nen) stands for year, "月" (gatsu) stands for month, and "日" (nichi) stands for day. This format is consistent across various official documents, forms, and records.

When filling out forms, it is important to use this format to ensure clarity and compliance with Japanese standards. It reflects the structured and precise nature of Japanese documentation practices.

Read more
新  [shin] - new

新 (shin) is a Japanese kanji character that means "new." It is commonly used as a prefix in various contexts to indicate something recent, modern, or newly introduced.

The character 新 can also be found in words like 新年 (shinnen), meaning "New Year," and 新製品 (shinseihin), meaning "new product." Its usage signifies innovation, freshness, and the introduction of new concepts or items. In business and everyday life, the concept of 新 is associated with progress and improvement, reflecting the importance of embracing change and new opportunities in Japanese culture.

Read more
弔慰   [choi] - expressions of condolence or sympathy offered to someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one

弔慰 (choi) is a Japanese term that refers to expressions of condolence or sympathy offered to someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. This concept is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and involves showing respect and support to the bereaved during their time of mourning.

Acts of choi can take various forms, such as sending condolence messages, offering flowers, attending the funeral or wake, and providing practical or emotional support to the grieving family. It is customary to offer a 弔慰金 (choikin), a monetary gift, to help with funeral expenses or as a gesture of support. These practices help to honor the deceased and offer comfort to those left behind, reflecting the values of compassion and communal solidarity.

The importance of choi in Japanese society underscores the significance of maintaining respectful and supportive relationships, particularly during life's most challenging times.

Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

弔意 (choi) refers to "condolences" or "sympathy" in English. It is the expression of sorrow and sympathy towards someone who has experienced a loss, particularly the death of a loved one. In Japanese culture, expressing choi is an important aspect of social etiquette and shows respect and support for the bereaved.


Condolences or sympathy is 弔意 (choi) in Japanese.




← Back to Glossary

Japan’s first bilingual virtual mail, virtual address, and virtual receptionist provider

Get an all-in-one bilingual mail and compliance service to power the growth of your startup in Japan.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Handling of Personal Information.