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?

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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?

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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

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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?

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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" :lol:

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Originally Posted by Евгения(Женя)

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

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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.

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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.

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