When a friend or colleague is going through a difficult time, finding the right words is important. Let's learn how to offer your sympathy, support, and condolences in Spanish.
Condolences and Support
When someone passes away, you offer your pésame (condolences). This is frequently paired with the verb dar (to give). You can also offer your apoyo (support) to let them know they are not alone.
| My sincerest condolences for your loss. | Mi más sincero pésame por tu pérdida. |
| You have all our support in this difficult moment. | Tienes todo nuestro apoyo en este momento difícil. |
To wish someone emotional strength, offer ánimo (encouragement). It is common to use this as an exclamation, or in the plural (dar ánimos).
| Lots of encouragement for you and your family! | ¡Mucho ánimo para ti y tu familia! |
Coping and Mourning
The verb sobrellevar means to cope with or endure something difficult.
| It is difficult to cope with such sad news. | Es difícil sobrellevar una noticia tan triste. |
Following a loss, you might attend a funeral (funeral). A family is often in a period of luto (mourning). This is frequently used with the verb llevar (llevar luto).
| My uncle's funeral will be tomorrow morning. | El funeral de mi tío será mañana por la mañana. |
| The family wears mourning for the grandmother. | La familia lleva luto por la abuela. |
Grief and Services
A grieving person might feel desolado (devastated). As an adjective, it changes to match the person's gender (desolado / desolada).
| Her brother is devastated after the accident. | Su hermano está desolado después del accidente. |
The entierro (burial) is often held privately.
| The burial will be private and only for the family. | El entierro será privado y solo para la familia. |
Empathy and Affection
Finally, you can show you care by expressing your afecto (affection) and compasión (compassion).
| We want to send all our affection to the patient. | Queremos enviar todo nuestro afecto al paciente. |
| I feel a lot of compassion for those children. | Siento mucha compasión por esos niños. |
