弔電

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The written form is 弔電, read ちょうでん. Elements for condolence and telegram combine to denote a message of sympathy sent for a funeral.
• Basic usage: 弔電を送る describes sending a telegram because attendance is impossible, while 弔電を読み上げる describes reading the received message aloud at the service.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A telegram sent instead of attending
  • A condolence telegram is sent because the sender cannot attend the funeral. Example: 葬儀に参列できないため弔電を送った。 — I sent a condolence telegram because I could not attend the funeral.
• A telegram arriving at the end
  • The condolence telegram that arrives at the end of the service is read aloud. Example: 式の終わりに届いた弔電が読み上げられた。 — The condolence telegram that arrived at the end of the service was read aloud.