condolence
gb/kəndˈoʊləns/ us/kəndˈoʊləns/
B2
English
részvét
NOUN
B2
1
részvét
B2
Usage pattern:
usually plural: condolences; condolences to [someone]; condolences on/for [someone's] loss; offer/send/express [one's] condolences
We offer our deepest condolences to Maria and her family.
Őszinte részvétünket fejezzük ki Mariának és családjának.
Messages of condolence poured in after the news of the actor's death.
A színész halálhíre után özönlöttek a részvétnyilvánító üzenetek.
He sent a short note of condolence after hearing about the accident.
Learner examples
Please accept my condolences.
Kérem, fogadja őszinte részvétemet.
She sent condolences to his parents.
Részvétét fejezte ki a szüleinek.
Common mistake:
Use condolences mainly for deaths or serious losses, not for small everyday problems. It is usually plural: my condolences, not my condolence.
Meaning
sympathy after a loss
Collocations
offer condolences
|send condolences
|express condolences
|extend condolences
|accept my condolences
|deepest condolences
|sincere condolences
|heartfelt condolences
|condolences to the family
|message of condolence
Synonyms
sympathy (broader and more everyday; can mean the feeling itself or its expression.)
|
commiseration (shared sympathy for trouble or misfortune; less common and less specifically connected with death.)
|
compassion (emotional concern for suffering, not necessarily a spoken or written expression.)
Antonyms
indifference (a lack of sympathy or concern.)
|
congratulations (an expression for good news or success, not grief or loss.)
Themes
grief
|death
|emotions
|social_interaction
Definition
kind words or sympathy for someone after a death or serious loss.
sympathy expressed to someone who is grieving or suffering a serious loss, especially because someone has died.
Grammar
Dictionary form
condolence
IPA
GB/kəndˈoʊləns/
US/kəndˈoʊləns/
Syllables & stress
con - dol - ence (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (dol)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: condolence
- Plural: condolence, condolences
Expressions
book of condolence
1/bˈʊk əv kəndˈoʊləns/
fixed phrase
formal
public sympathy record
a book where people write sympathy messages after an important person dies or after a tragedy.
Examples
- A book of condolence was opened at the town hall.
- Hundreds of people signed the book of condolence after the disaster.
- The embassy set up an online book of condolence.
Learner examples
- People signed the book of condolence.
- The city opened a book of condolence.
condolence card
1/kəndˈoʊləns kˈɑɹd/
fixed phrase
sympathy greeting card
a card you send to someone after a person has died.
Examples
- We all signed a condolence card for our coworker.
- She bought a condolence card after hearing about her neighbor's death.
- The family kept every condolence card they received.
Learner examples
- I sent a condolence card.
- They signed a condolence card.
condolence message
1/kəndˈoʊləns mˈɛsɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
written sympathy message
a short written message saying you are sorry for someone's loss.
Examples
- He posted a condolence message on the family's memorial page.
- The school sent a condolence message to the parents.
- I didn't know what to write in my condolence message.
Learner examples
- She wrote a condolence message.
- We sent a short condolence message.
deepest condolences
1/dˈipɪst kəndˈoʊlənsɪz/
fixed phrase
very sincere sympathy
very sincere sympathy after someone has died or suffered a serious loss.
Examples
- Our deepest condolences go out to everyone affected by the tragedy.
- She sent her deepest condolences to the family.
- Please accept our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Learner examples
- You have my deepest condolences.
- We send our deepest condolences.
my condolences
1/mˈaɪ kəndˈoʊlənsɪz/
fixed phrase
personal sympathy formula
a polite way to say you are sorry because someone has died or suffered a serious loss.
Examples
- My condolences to you and your family.
- My condolences on the loss of your father.
- I heard the sad news this morning. My condolences.
Learner examples
- My condolences to your family.
- My condolences for your loss.
offer one's condolences
1/ˈɔfɚ wˈʌnz kəndˈoʊlənsɪz/
fixed phrase
formally express sympathy
to say or write kind words to someone after a death or serious loss.
Examples
- The mayor offered her condolences to the victims' families.
- We would like to offer our sincere condolences on your loss.
- Several colleagues came by to offer their condolences.
Learner examples
- I offered my condolences to his wife.
- They offered condolences to the family.
please accept my condolences
1/plˈiz æksˈɛpt mˈaɪ kəndˈoʊlənsɪz/
fixed phrase
formal
formal sympathy formula
a formal way to say you are sorry for someone's loss.
Examples
- Please accept my condolences on the passing of your grandmother.
- Please accept our condolences for your loss.
- I was very sorry to hear the news. Please accept my condolences.
Learner examples
- Please accept my condolences.
- Please accept our condolences for your loss.
send one's condolences
1/sˈɛnd wˈʌnz kəndˈoʊlənsɪz/
fixed phrase
send sympathy message
to send a message saying you are sorry for someone's loss.
Examples
- Please send my condolences to your mother.
- The company sent condolences to the family of the employee who died.
- If you speak to Daniel, send him our condolences.
Learner examples
- Please send her my condolences.
- We sent condolences by email.