The most common way to say “condolences” in Italian is condoglianze, as in Le mie condoglianze (“my condolences”). For a warmer, more personal message, say Mi dispiace tanto per la tua perdita (“I’m so sorry for your loss”).
Below you will find formal and personal phrases, how to pronounce condoglianze, messages for a card or a text, how to say “rest in peace” and how to reply when someone offers you their condolences.
Common Italian Phrases for Condolences
Formal Expressions
Le mie condoglianze.
My condolences.
This is the most formal and traditional way to express sympathy, suitable for any situation.
Le mie più sentite condoglianze.
My deepest condolences.
A slightly more heartfelt and formal version.
A te e alla tua famiglia, le nostre condoglianze.
To you and your family, our condolences.
Use this when addressing the bereaved on behalf of a group.
Sentite condoglianze.
Deepest condolences.
Vi porgo le mie più sentite condoglianze.
I extend my deepest condolences to you.
Sentite condoglianze is short and works well on a card. The second sentence is written and formal, the kind of line you would put in a letter or at the end of an email to a colleague.
Personal and Emotional Phrases
Mi dispiace tanto per la tua perdita.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
A heartfelt and sincere phrase for close friends or acquaintances.
Ti sono vicino in questo momento difficile.
I am close to you in this difficult time.
A way to express emotional closeness and support.
Il mio cuore è con te.
My heart is with you.
A simple yet intimate way to offer comfort.
Sono addolorato per la tua perdita.
I am saddened by your loss.
Se hai bisogno di qualcosa, io ci sono.
If you need anything, I’m here.
A woman says sono addolorata. Use the second phrase only if you mean it.
Honoring the Deceased
Che la sua anima riposi in pace.
May their soul rest in peace.
A respectful phrase to acknowledge the deceased.
Era una persona meravigliosa e mancherà a tutti noi.
They were a wonderful person and will be missed by all of us.
Use this to express admiration for the deceased.
How to Pronounce “Condoglianze”
Condoglianze sounds like “kohn-doh-LYAN-tseh”. The gli sounds like the “lli” in “million”, the stress falls on -glian-, and the z is pronounced “ts”.
The word is normally used in the plural: le condoglianze. The usual verb is porgere: porgere le condoglianze a qualcuno means “to offer someone your condolences”.
Formal or Informal: Lei, Tu and Voi
The phrase you choose depends on who you are speaking to. With an older person, a colleague’s relative or someone you don’t know well, use the formal Lei. With family and friends, use tu. To a whole family, use voi. If you need a refresher, see how to use the formal “Lei”.
Ti sono vicino.
I am close to you. (informal, said by a man)
Ti sono vicina.
I am close to you. (informal, said by a woman)
Le sono vicino.
I am close to you. (formal, said by a man)
Vi sono vicino.
I am close to you all. (said by a man to a family)
The ending of vicino follows the gender of the person speaking: vicino for a man, vicina for a woman.
Condolence Messages in Italian for a Card or Text
A sympathy card or a message usually opens with Caro or Cara and the person’s name. For a formal note, use Gentile followed by Signor or Signora and the surname.
Mi dispiace per la perdita di tua madre.
I’m sorry for the loss of your mother.
Il mio pensiero è con voi in questo momento difficile.
My thoughts are with you in this difficult time.
Ci stringiamo a te e alla tua famiglia in questo momento di dolore.
We stand by you and your family in this moment of sorrow.
Vivrà per sempre nei nostri cuori.
He or she will live in our hearts forever.
You can end with Con affetto (with affection) or, between friends, Ti abbraccio (I’m sending you a hug).
If the message is an apology or an “I’m sorry” for something smaller, see how to say sorry in Italian.
“Rest in Peace” in Italian
The classic way to say “rest in peace” is riposa in pace, spoken to the person who has died. You will also see the abbreviation R.I.P. and the formal riposi in pace.
Riposa in pace.
Rest in peace.
Che riposi in pace.
May he or she rest in peace.
Che riposi in pace is what you say when you speak about the person. The longer Che la sua anima riposi in pace above is more solemn and religious.
How to Reply to Condolences
When someone offers you their condolences, a simple grazie is enough. To sound warmer, choose one of these:
Grazie di cuore.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Grazie, le tue parole significano molto per me.
Thank you, your words mean a lot to me.
For more ways to say thank you, see how to say “thank you” in Italian.
Italian Vocabulary for Mourning
- la perdita – the loss
- la scomparsa – the passing (a gentler word for death)
- il lutto – mourning, bereavement
- il cordoglio – sorrow, condolence (as in esprimere il proprio cordoglio, “to express one’s condolences”)
- il funerale – the funeral
- il necrologio or l’annuncio funebre – the death notice
Express Your Condolences in Italian
Expressing condolences is never easy, and doing so in a foreign language can feel even more daunting. In Italy, offering sympathy is not just about words, it’s a cultural practice deeply rooted in tradition, respect, and empathy.
It is a universal way to show support and compassion for those experiencing loss. By understanding the cultural nuances and practicing the key phrases in this guide, you can navigate these delicate moments with grace and compassion.
