Thread: My condolences

Last week, a relative of someone I know died. I found it hard to express my sympathy in Russian. That's not something you usually learn. Of course, I told her to "принимать мои соболезнования", but it sounded a bit artificial. Is this correct? What do people usually say?

When you congratulate someone with his birthday, you usually don't say "я тебя поздравляю с Днём рождения", but simply "с Днём рождения". Is this also possible with condolences? "Мои соболезнования" or something?

Also, in Dutch it's pretty common to wish someone "strength" (sterkte) after a loved one has passed away. Is this also done in Russia? If so, how?

Originally Posted by Gollandski Yozh

When you congratulate someone with his birthday, you usually don't say "я тебя поздравляю с Днём рождения", but simply "с Днём рождения". Is this also possible with condolences? "Мои соболезнования" or something?

Yes, you are right about "Мои соболезнования". Also:
Мои глубокие (or глубочайшие) соболезнования
Знаю о Вашем горе и скорблю (вместе) с Вами
Разделяю Ваше горе

Originally Posted by Gollandski Yozh

Also, in Dutch it's pretty common to wish someone "strength" (sterkte) after a loved one has passed away. Is this also done in Russia? If so, how?

Yes. We say "Крепитесь".

Thanks. I hope I won't be needing these expressions any time soon, though...

I've seen and hear people say, "Я поздравляю (тебя) с днём рождения", besides just saying "С днём рождения"

Originally Posted by Евгения(Женя)

I've seen and hear people say, "Я поздравляю (тебя) с днём рождения", besides just saying "С днём рождения"

Those would've been foreigners learning Russian. We never say the full phrase - it may sound pompous and probably even sound sarcastic. It's nearly always с днём рожденья, с днём рожденья, Пух.

Originally Posted by VendingMachine

Those would've been foreigners learning Russian. We never say the full phrase - it may sound pompous and probably even sound sarcastic. It's nearly always с днём рожденья, с днём рожденья, Пух.

Well, not exactly... In formal situations, especially when you are greeting someone much older than yourself, full phrase sounds more appropriate.