condolence
condolence — noun
- condolencesingular
- condolencesplural
1. a feeling of sympathy that you show to someone whose family member or close frie
a feeling of sympathy that you show to someone whose family member or close friend has recently died, often by writing a letter, sending a card, or speaking to them in person.
The mayor sent a letter of condolence to the Wang family after the firefighter died.
letter of condolence — written form
At the funeral, the teacher's former students offered their condolences to his widow.
offer one's condolences — verbal expression of sympathy
The hospital spokesperson expressed deepest condolences to the families who lost someone in the fire.
The old widow found condolence cards tied with ribbon from neighbours she had never met.
- sympathy
broader term; can be used for any misfortune, not only death
- commiseration
more literary and less common; expresses shared sorrow
- mourning
refers to the period or act of grieving, not the message of support
- congratulations
expresses joy for a happy event, the opposite emotional register
文法句型
condolence + noun (modifier)
offer / express / send + one's condolences (plural)
letter / message / note + of condolence
用法筆記
Condolence is most often used in the plural form (condolences), especially when you refer to the verbal or written expression. The singular form (condolence) appears mainly as a noun modifier before another noun, as in condolence letter or condolence message.