Saying It Right: How to Write a Formal Condolence Message in Chinese
It can be hard to find the right words when someone has passed away. It’s even harder when you have to do it in Chinese, especially if it’s not your strongest language. Fret not. This article will not only give you some basic Chinese condolence message templates to follow, but also some appropriate phrases in different contexts and scenarios. We’ll make sure your condolence message looks as good as the sympathy flowers you’re sending.
Overview of the Message Format
Generally, the format of a formal condolence message comprises three sections. Below is an example:
敬悼 陈大华 老先生 千古
歸真返璞，德望永昭
李小华 敬挽
The first line/section addresses the deceased. The second line/section is a Chinese elegy of mourning in remembrance of the deceased. The third and final line/section is a sign off from you, the sender(s) of the message and flowers.
Let us go in depth now on how to craft the respective sections.
1. Addressing the Deceased
When conveying condolences in Chinese, the message usually starts off with formally addressing the deceased in his/her full name with proper salutations specific to the deceased’s gender, marital status and age. To make it easy for you, we have come out with some fill-in-the-blanks templates below for you:
A male 70 years old and above:
敬悼 <deceased’s full name> 老先生 千古
An adult male:
敬悼 <deceased’s full name> 先生 千古
A male who was single or very young:
敬悼 <deceased’s full name> 君 千古
A married female 70 years old and above:
敬悼 <husband’s surname>门<deceased’s original surname>氏<deceased’s name> 老夫人 仙逝
Example:
An 80-year-old woman named 刘美妙 who was married to 陈大华
敬悼 陈门刘氏美妙 老夫人 仙逝
A married adult female:
敬悼 <husband’s surname>门<deceased’s original surname>氏<deceased’s name> 夫人 仙逝
A female who was single or divorced:
敬悼 <deceased’s full name> 女士 仙逝
A young female who was single or divorced:
敬悼 <deceased’s full name> 净女 仙逝
2. Penning An Elegy of Mourning
After formally addressing the deceased, your message of condolence then moves into an appropriate elegy of mourning in Chinese that pays tribute to the deceased. This usually consists of idioms or phrases that contain 4 Chinese characters each. As a guideline, 1 phrase is enough, but you can also use them in pairs, up to 8. There are different phrases with different meanings that you can mix and match to craft your elegy based on different circumstances such as gender, age, religion, relationship to the deceased, etc. Here are a few categories for you to choose from:
Unisex Phrases:
千秋永诀:
“Separated for eternity”. Laments the separation between the sender and the deceased.
音容宛在/音容如在:
“Their voice and appearance remain”. A sentiment expressing how dearly the deceased is being missed, to the point that their voice can still be heard and their face can still be seen.
五福全归/福寿双全:
“Return of all five blessings”, or “return of both fortune and longevity”. An acknowledgement and celebration of the blessings the deceased had received in their lifetime. Used only for those 80 years and above.
驾鹤西归:
“Returning to the West on a crane”. Cranes are a traditional symbol of longevity in Chinese culture, and are closely related to deities in Taoism. The “West” (西方极乐世界) is the Buddhist equivalent of Heaven.
For MALES:
硕德贻徽:
Describes the legacy of his virtues and morality. Used for those 80 years and above.
一朝千古:
“An eternity in a day”. Describes the experience of missing the deceased. Used for those 80 years and above.
道范长昭/德望永昭/清望流徽:
“A role model that will live on forever”. Used for those 70 years and above.
生荣死哀:
“Beloved and respected in life, mourned and missed in death”. Used for those 70 years and above.
梁木其坏:
“The breaking of the beams”. Used for those 70 years and above.
风摧椿萎:
“The wind destroys the Chinese Cedar”. The Chinese Cedar is symbolic of one’s father. Used for those 70 years and above.
典型足式/典則空留:
Describes the deceased as a role model. Used for those 50 years and above.
For younger males (UNDER 50):
玉折蘭摧:
“Broken jade, destroyed orchid”.
玉树长埋:
“Burial of the jade tree”. Young, handsome, and talented men used to be called “jade trees”.
霜凋夏绿:
“The frost withers summer greens”.
星陨少微:
“Death of the constellation of youth”. “少微” is an ancient Chinese constellation that signified youth.
壮志未酬:
Laments the unfulfilled dreams and ambitions of the deceased.
For Females:
萱帏月冷:
“The moon is colder without her around”. Used for those 80 years and above.
流芳千古/淑德永昭/懿德长昭/懿范垂型/萱范长存:
“Her legacy will live on forever”. Used for those 80 years and above.
母仪千古/母仪永式/母仪足式:
“Her motherly love will be remembered for centuries”. Used for those 70 years and above by her children/grandchildren.
巾帼称贤/巾帼仪型:
“A woman praised as virtuous”. Used for those 70 years and above, someone who was exemplary.
孟母风高/贤同欧母:
Compares her to legendary Chinese mothers. Used for those 70 years and above.
忘忧草谢:
“The orange daylily withers”. The orange daylily is the Chinese equivalent of carnations, and represents one’s love for their mother. Used for mothers 50 years and above.
For Younger Females (Under 50):
遽促芳龄:
Expresses sorrow and regrets for a death that came too soon.
兰摧蕙折:
Describes the untimely death as “the breaking off of the orchid”.
昙花萎谢:
“The dying of the flower”. A metaphor meaning that good things are short-lived.
凤去楼空:
“The house is empty upon the departure of the phoenix”. A metaphor describing the emptiness left behind by the deceased.
月缺花残:
“The moon wanes and the flowers wither”. Symbolic of the detriments brought upon by the deceased’s departure.
Buddhism Related Phrases:
福慧雙修:
Describes the deceased as having acquired both fortune and wisdom.
往生极乐/往生净土:
“Heading towards the Pure Land of Bliss”.
超生极乐:
“Escape the cycle of reincarnation and proceed to the Pure Land”.
花开见佛:
“The flowers will bloom and you will see Buddha”.
Christianity Related Phrases:
安息主怀:
Rest peacefully in the Lord’s embrace.
蒙主恩加:
Be in His favour.
息劳归主:
Rest from labour and return to Him
与主偕行:
Walk with Him.
蒙主宠召:
The Lord beckons.
Taoism Related Phrases:
驾返瑶池:
Describes a return to 瑶池, a sacred pool in Taoism. Used for women 80 and above.
瑶岛仙游:
Describes a visit to 瑶岛, a celestial island in Taoism. Used for women 70 and above.
羽化登仙:
Describes the deceased as gaining wings and immortality. Used for men 70 and above.
3. Signing Off
In this last section, you simply sign off your name(s) using this liner:
<your full name(s)> 敬挽
conveying your condolences with flowers
At Jubilant Fields Floral Studio, we have a selection of flower stands and arrangements suitable for conveying your condolences. We’ll be happy to help you find (or even customise) the perfect arrangement, and also craft your condolence message in Chinese, if you ever need help. Just get in touch and let us know your requirements, and we’ll do everything we can to help!