Expressing Condolences In Spanish: Essential Phrases + Examples

  • Jada Lòpez
    Written byJada Lòpez
    Jada LòpezSpanish teacher, translator
    🎓 B.A., Translation and Interpreting English and Spanish, Universidad de Granada
    🎓 M.A., Formación de Profesores de Español como Lengua Extranjera (ELE), Universidad Pablo de Olavide

    Passionate language teacher and translator. Wife, mother of 3 and amateur surfer.
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Expressing Condolences In Spanish: Essential Phrases + Examples

When the time comes that you need to support someone after a death in their family or other major loss, it’s never easy.

You might struggle to find the right words - particularly if the mourning family speaks Spanish.

Knowing how to comfort them in the Spanish language is important and it can be a challenge if you’re not yet fluent in Spanish.

If you’ve found yourself in a situation like this, where you need to express your condolences in Spanish, the guide below will help you.

Take a look at some of the common phrases used to express regret or sympathy in Spanish.

Spanish vocabulary used to describe death, loss, and sympathy

Let’s start by looking at some essential vocabulary to describe death and loss in Spanish.

The table below contains the phrases you’ll need for this:

EspañolEnglish
EntierroBurial
DolorGrief
FallecerPass away
MorirTo die
MuerteDeath
CremaciónCremation
La tumbaThe tomb
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How do you say condolences in Spanish?

The Spanish word for ‘condolences’ is condolencias. It is typically used to express how sorry you are to hear of someone’s death.

Condolencias is normally also used alongside the possessive pronoun mis. So, at a funeral, you would hear people saying:

Listen to audio

Mis condolencias.

My condolences.

You might hear an extended version of this phrase, which is:

Mis más sinceras condolencias

Both of these phrases are used in the same way their English translations are used.

There are more ways to express condolences in Spanish too.

More ways to express sympathy in Spanish

Take a look at the following table to see more examples of ways to express sympathy in Spanish.

Which ones have you heard of, and which are new to your vocabulary?

EspañolEnglish
Que el/ella descanse en pazMay he/she rest in peace
Lo siento muchoI’m very sorry
Estoy a tu lado para lo que necesitesI’m at your side for whatever you need
Lo lamento muchoI am sorry for this
Mi más sentido pésameMy deepest condolences
Comparto tu dolorI share your pain
Siempre es doloroso y difícil perder a alguien cercanoIt’s always painful and difficult to lose someone close to you
Puedes contar conmigo en estos momentos difícilesYou can count on me in these difficult moments

Formal and informal contexts for offering condolences in Spanish

There are formal and informal contexts that you should be aware of when giving condolences in Spanish.

In formal contexts, you might not know the person who has passed away.

You might not know the person who is grieving very well either. In situations like these, you should use usted.

The usted form requires the entire sentence to be formulated in a formal register. Instead of te, you must use le. Instead of tu, you must use the possessive pronoun su. My guide on Spanish pronouns covers this in more detail.

In other contexts, you might be best friends with the person who is grieving.

Or you might want to offer your condolences to a close family member who you haven’t seen for many years. In these situations, you should use the informal register.

In situations where you know the person well, you can use te, ti and tu when expressing your sympathies.

Examples of how to offer your condolences in Spanish

Now that we’ve covered some key phrases used to express condolences, here are some examples of how you might use them.

Can you spot which sentences are formal and which are informal?

Que descanse en paz

Listen to audio

¿Falleció hace una semana? Que descanse en paz. Estamos aquí para ti. Al menos ya no sufre.

Did he pass away a week ago? May he rest in peace. At least he isn’t suffering anymore.
Listen to audio

Sé lo difícil que debe ser esto. Ella vivirá en sus recuerdos. Que descanse en paz.

I know how difficult this must be. She will live on in your memories. May she rest in peace.

Lo siento mucho

Listen to audio

Lo sé que era como un hermano para ti. Es una noticia muy triste. Lo siento mucho.

I know he was like a brother to you. It’s very sad news. I’m very sorry.
Listen to audio

No la conocía muy bien. Siento mucho su pérdida.

I didn’t know her very well. I’m very sorry for your loss.

Estoy a tu lado para lo que necesites

Listen to audio

Lo sé que significaba mucho para ti. Estoy a tu lado para lo que necesites.

I know he meant a lot to you. I’m at your side for whatever you might need.
Listen to audio

Nos entristece esta noticia. Es muy triste. Estamos a su lado para lo que necesites.

We are saddened by this news. It is very sad. We are at your side for whatever you need.

Lamento mucho

Listen to audio

Lamentamos mucho el fallecido de su madre. Le apoyaremos en lo que necesite.

We regret to hear that your mother has passed away. We will support you with whatever you need.
Listen to audio

Lamentan mucho que ha muerto tu padre. No lo conocían, pero te envían buenos deseos.

They are very sorry that your father has died. They didn’t know him, but they send you good thoughts/wishes.

Mi más sentido pésame

Listen to audio

Nuestros pensamientos van a los que están de duelo después de esta pérdida. Nuestro más sentido pésame.

Our thoughts go to those who are grieving after this loss. Our deepest condolences.
Listen to audio

Tengo el corazón roto por la pérdida de tu hermana. Era amable, honesta y valiente. Mi más sentido pésame.

I am heartbroken by the loss of your sister. She was kind, honest and brave. My deepest condolences.

Comparto tu dolor

Listen to audio

Nunca es un momento fácil y compartimos su dolor. Os deseamos lo mejor y os daremos tiempo para el duelo.

This is never an easy time and we share your pain. We wish you well and will give you time to grieve.
Listen to audio

Comparto tu dolor. Ella fue como una hermana. Que tristeza.

I share your grief. She was like a sister. What sadness.

Siempre es doloroso y difícil perder a alguien cercano

Listen to audio

Siempre es doloroso y difícil perder a alguien cercano. Pensamos en ti mientras tus emociones se curan.

It’s always painful and difficult to lose someone close to you. We are thinking of you while your emotions heal.
Listen to audio

Siempre es doloroso y difícil perder a alguien cercano. Si necesita algo, háganoslo saber.

It’s always painful and difficult to lose someone close to you. If you need something, let us know.

Puedes contar conmigo en estos momentos difíciles

Listen to audio

Usted puede contar conmigo en estos momentos difíciles.

You can count on me in these difficult moments.
Listen to audio

Puedes contar conmigo en estos momentos difíciles.

You can count on me in these difficult moments.

Give someone your best wishes and condolences in Spanish

Offering condolences in Spanish is an important skill to have.

It shows your Spanish-speaking friends who have suffered loss that you’re respectful, kind and thoughtful.

A grieving person, whether they’re a close friend or a colleague, will always appreciate kind words during a difficult time.

Practising is important, but even if you get something grammatically incorrect, the sentiment and meaning will be noticed.

Even if you simply say lo siento mucho que ha fallecido el/ella, it’s enough to show that you care.


Are there any other phrases for expressing condolences in Spanish that you’d like to see here?

Add your contribution below.

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