Previously, we reviewed Proper Korean Expressions at a Family Event. Today, we are going to study what to properly say in more difficult circumstances, such as at 병문안 (byung-moon-an: visiting the sick) or a funeral. 

I personally think that many Korean expressions that are commonly used at 경조사 (kyung-joh-sah: a family event), particularly in unfortunate circumstances, can be difficult to learn because we don’t use these phrases often. Another fact about them is that these expressions contain a few advanced levels of vocabulary. 

병문안 (byung-moon-an: visiting the sick)

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First, let’s look at some commonly used terms when you visit a sick person.  

• 편찮다 (pyun-chan-tah: an honorific version of a verb, 아프다 (ah-poo-dah: sick, unwell)
• 소식 (soh-sik: a piece of news)
• 하루빨리 (ha-roo-bbal-li: immediately)
• 건강 (gun-gang: health, wellness)
• 병환 (byung-hwan: an honorific version of 병 (byung: sickness)
• 속히 (sok-hi: soon, quick)
• 낫다 (nat-dah: recover, get cured)
• 모습 (moh-sup: appearance, figure, form)
• 쾌차 (kwae-cha: complete recovery, restoration)

1. 편찮으시다는 소식을 들었습니다. (I heard that you are sick.)
2. 하루빨리 건강을 되찾으시기 바랍니다. (I wish you to recover your health quickly.)
3. 병환이 속히 나으시어 건강한 모습으로 뵙기를 기원합니다. (I hope to see you healthy after recovering quickly.)
4. 하루 빨리 쾌차하시기를 바랍니다. (I wish you completely recuperate without any delay.)

장례식 (jang-rye-sik: funeral)

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Let’s look at other Korean expressions at a 장례식 (jang-rye-sik: funeral).

• 뜻밖의 (ttu-ppa-ggae: unexpected, unanticipated)
• 비보 (bi-bo: sad news)
• 슬프다 (seul-peu-dah: sad, mournful)
• 금하다 (geum-hah-dah: control, prohibit)
• 조의 (jo-eui: condolence)
• 고인 (goh-in: the dead, the deceased)
• 명복 (myeong-bok: happiness in the other world, heavenly bliss)
• 빌다 (bil-dah: pray)
• 삼가 (sahm-gah: respectfully, reverently)
• 유덕 (yoo-duk: posthumous influence)
• 후세 (hoo-seh: future generation)
• 이어지다 (ee-uh-ji-dah: be connected, last, continue)
• 빛나다 (bit-nah-dah: shine)
• 애석하다 (ae-suk-hah-dah:pitiful, unfortunate)
• 사망 (sah-mang: death, passing)
• 귀하 (gwui-hah: sir, Mrs, Mr, dear)
• 심심한 애도 (sim-sim-han-ae-doh: deep and profound condolences)
• 위로 (we-roh: consolation. comfort)
• 부득이한 (boo-deuk-ee-han: unavoidable)
• 사정 (sah-jeong: circumstances)
• 조문 (joh-moon: eulogy)
• 부고 (boo-go: an obituary)
• 장례 (jang-rye: a funeral) 
• 참석 (cham-suk: attendance, presence)

1. 뜻밖의 비보에 슬픈 마음 금할 길 없습니다. (I can’t stop being sad over the unexpectedly sad news.)
2. 조의를 표하오니 고인의 명복을 빕니다. (Please accept my condolences, as I have many fond memories of the deceased.)
3. 삼가 조의를 표하오며 고인의 유덕이 후세에 이어져 빛나기를 빕니다. (I express my sympathy/condolences respectfully as I wish posthumous influences of the deceased will be continued to future generations.)
4. 애석하게 사망하였다는 가슴 아픈 비보를 접하고 귀하께 심심한 애도의 뜻을 표합니다. (I express deep and profound condolences as I hear the sad news of this unfortunate death.)
5. 본인이 어떠한 위로의 말을 드린다해도 보잘것 없겠지만 삼가 위로의 말씀을 올립니다. (Although I understand words can’t  console your sadness, I wish my deep and profound condolences could reach your heart.)
6. 부득이한 사정으로 조문치 못하여 죄송합니다. (I apologize that I couldn’t be present at the funeral due to unavoidable circumstances.)
7. 삼가 명복을 빕니다. (I respectfully wish happiness in the other world for the deceased.)