故人

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The written form is 故人, read こじん. This respectful noun denotes a person who has died.
• Basic usage: 故人をしのぶ describes remembering the deceased at a ceremony, while 故人の机 identifies a desk that belonged to the deceased person.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Quiet remembrance at a ceremony
  • Attendees quietly remember the deceased during the ceremony. Example: 式では参列者が故人を静かにしのんだ。 — At the ceremony, the attendees quietly remembered the deceased.
• A letter found in the deceased person’s desk
  • The letter is found in a desk formerly used by the deceased person. Example: この手紙は故人の机から見つかったものだ。 — This letter was found in the deceased person's desk.