Meaning

Primary

Death Anniversary

Alternative

Anniversary Of Death

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The times when you are in mourning each year are for a loved one's death anniversary. They come around again every year. It's important you remember your loved ones at this time.

You'll often see this used with a number before 回忌, indicating a certain anniversary. However, you actually start counting your 回忌 starting with the first period of mourning around the time of the person's death, which would be the 一回忌. Hence, 二回忌 would usually be translated as "first death anniversary", 三回忌 as "second death anniversary", and so on.

Reading

かいき
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Context

Context Sentences

今年は祖父の三回忌です。

Today is the second anniversary of my grandfather’s death.

みんな忙しいので、各回忌に家族全員集まることは難しいです。

Everyone is so busy that it's difficult to get the whole family together for each anniversary.

死んだお嫁さんの一回忌もまだ終わってないのにもう再婚するつもりなの?

Your late wife only just passed away and you're already planning to remarry?

Kanji Composition