English · What to say back
How to reply to an expression of sympathy in English
Sympathy can be answered with thanks, a short acknowledgment of difficulty, or a clear preference for privacy.
Mushkil waqt mein support ke liye shukriya keh sakte hain. Sab kuchh samjhaana zaroori nahi.
Choose a reply that fits
Reply 1
Thank you for saying that.
यह कहने के लिए धन्यवाद।
yah kahne ke liye dhanyavaad.
Acknowledge the supportive words.
Reply 2
I appreciate your kindness.
आपकी मेहरबानी के लिए शुक्रिया।
aapki mehrbaani ke liye shukriya.
Recognize the person's kindness.
Reply 3
It's been difficult.
यह समय मुश्किल रहा है।
yah samay mushkil raha hai.
Share a little about how things have felt.
Reply 4
I'd prefer not to talk about it right now.
अभी मैं इस बारे में बात नहीं करना चाहता / चाहती।
abhi main is baare mein baat nahi karna chaahta / chaahti.
Set a conversational boundary when you need it.
What to watch for
Listen to the whole message before choosing a reply. Acknowledge the supportive words. Share a little about how things have felt.
See it in a short conversation
Receiving sympathy
Partner
I'm sorry to hear that.
Show Hindi meaning
यह सुनकर दुख हुआ।
yah sunkar dukh hua.
You
Thank you for saying that.
Show Hindi meaning
यह कहने के लिए धन्यवाद।
yah kahne ke liye dhanyavaad.
A supportive personal message
Partner
I'm so sorry for what you're going through.
Show Hindi meaning
आप जिस मुश्किल से गुज़र रहे / रही हैं, उसका मुझे बहुत दुख है।
aap jis mushkil se guzar rahe / rahi hain, uska mujhe bahut dukh hai.
You
I appreciate your kindness.
Show Hindi meaning
आपकी मेहरबानी के लिए शुक्रिया।
aapki mehrbaani ke liye shukriya.
Your turn
Acknowledge that the situation has been difficult without adding details.
Reveal sample reply
It's been difficult.
यह समय मुश्किल रहा है।
yah samay mushkil raha hai.
