How to express condolences....

[goldenzephyr]

A good Korean friend just lost her grandfather. I want to express my sorrow in Korean, but I am not sure how.... I heard that "안타깝네요" is a way to do this, but I am not sure... and I don't want to say anything that might upset or offend her!

감사합니다,

규리

[goldenzephyr]

On further thought, I wondered whether something along the lines of "정말 안타깝네요... 삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다." would be a good sentence to express my feelings? If I translated right, it means "I'm really sorry (for your loss)... may his soul rest in peace".

Does this sound okay? It's a difficult situation, but I really want to send a meaningful reply to her.

Thanks

Qristina (규리)

[timandyou]

Yes, it's very good!
I am sorry for your friend as well.
cheer you and the family of your friend.
best,

Tim

[julialim]

"삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다." is perfectly ok.
But 안타깝네요. is kind of awkward.

So just ""삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다." or "삼가 조의를 표합니다" will be alright.
More natural one is "얼마나 슬프시겠습니까." or "좋은 곳에 가셨을거에요."


I am sorry to hear that.
삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다.

[goldenzephyr]

감사합니다~! These phrases really help. I also wondered if 충심으로 애도의 말씀을 드림니다 would be acceptable? (If I'm right it's "you have my deepest sympathy") It's such an awkward time, and I know English expressions don't directly translate... if you know what I mean? So to say something that I awkwardly translated from English might be entirely the wrong thing~!

ㅠ.ㅠ 너무 슬퍼서 울 것 같아요.

Qristina

[timandyou]

This is Tim from KC101.com.
Yes, it's fine. but...
you wrote, "충심으로 애도의 말씀을 드림니다."
충심 is used when you try to talk to the King.
Therefore, it's better to say, 진심으로 "with sincerity"
진심으로 애도의 말씀을 드립니다.

best,

Tim

[trutherous]

Qristina - your friend has my deepest sympathy - anyway it is nice to meet you here at KC101 --I hope you will continue to contribute to the forums here.

I like to understand what I am saying and why it means what it means so I decided to take apart one of the phrases for my own personal study and I am posting the results back:

삼가(respectfully) 고인(deceased)의(of,for,pertaining/belonging to) 명("severe/serious" so I'm guessing: "deep, final, eternal)복(blessing)을 빕니다(to wish/hope for, to entreat)

Actually the term '명복' was the really difficult part because this '명' (冥) is something difficult to understand. I'm sure in cultural reference '명복을 빕니다' makes perfect sense, but I wanted to have a better grasp on the root origin of the expression.

Anyway - the best to you and your friend.

George - a fellow student