Expressing sorrow. Translation

[Arthur68]

What word or phrase is use to express sorrow for a person's poor health?

Translate "Sorry to hear that you are not in good health." in romanji.


Arigato!

 

[undrentide]

It looks simple, but I don't think there's equivalent word to "sorry" in English to use in such a situation.
"Sorry" can be translated as "zannen", which is to express disappointment, and it does not fit in well in this situation, or "kinodoku" which somehow sounds rather patronizing if not condescending in this situation.

When one heard about the poor health of one's friend, one might say "I'm concerned" (close to "I'm worried") instead.

e.g.
Anata ga guaiga waruito kiite shinpai shite imasu.
(On hearing that you're in poor health, I'm concerned.)

You may want to hear what others say about this, maybe other members might come up with better expressions...

 

[orochi]

Arthur,
We need context.
Is this in the middle of a conversation? A letter? Is it standing alone? Is there text before or after?

 

[Arthur68]

Arthur,
We need context.
Is this in the middle of a conversation? A letter? Is it standing alone? Is there text before or after?

The conversation is through e-mail. There is other text before and after.

 

[Elizabeth]

It looks simple, but I don't think there's equivalent word to "sorry" in English to use in such a situation.
"Sorry" can be translated as "zannen", which is to express disappointment, and it does not fit in well in this situation, or "kinodoku" which somehow sounds rather patronizing if not condescending in this situation.

First of all, "I'm sorry to hear about XXX's poor OOOO " is a phrase I might use in the case of receiving information about a second or third hand relationship, but it is so cool sounding it would need to be a person about whom I knew nothing in particular other than their problem.


In Japanese, if it were a friend I guess I still don't understand what is upsetting or inappropriate with "（とても）大変ですね・残念ですね。"

For a more formal acquintance maybe, 「XXXについて、（とお聞きし）大変残念に思います」

 

[Glenn]

My first thought was 御愁傷様です. Ouch. :banghead:

 

[Ashikaga]

In Japanese, if it were a friend I guess I still don't understand what is upsetting or inappropriate with "（とても）大変ですね・残念ですね。"

For a more formal acquintance maybe, 「XXXについて、（とお聞きし）大変残念に思います」

「残念」 would have beeen appropriate if the person was already deceased. In this case, no.

It implies that whatever the fight/struggle this person had been in is now over (and s/he has lost).

I believe it would be best to say, お大事に。早くよくなってください。

 

[Elizabeth]

「残念」 would have beeen appropriate if the person was already deceased. In this case, no.
It implies that whatever the fight/struggle this person had been in is now over (and s/he has lost).

OK, that makes sense, to a certain extent I suppose at least.

I believe it would be best to say, お大事に。早くよくなってください。

And （それでは） お大事にしてください would be the more equivalent formal ?

 

[undrentide]

And （それでは） お大事にしてください would be the more equivilant formal ?

お大事になさってください would be more appropriate, I think.

My first thought was 御愁傷様です. Ouch. :banghead:

Ahhh, Glenn san, as you may already realize it, you can use it only the person in question has died....

 

[Elizabeth]

My first thought was 御愁傷様です. Ouch :banghead:

How about 早くお元気になられるといいですね。instead ?

 

[Glenn]

Ahhh, Glenn san, as you may already realize it, you can use it only the person in question has died....

You are correct -- I did realize it. But not until after having read the thread and as I was posting.