A good friend's elderly father just died. Our friend is French, doesn't really speak any English. I bought a simple card but now I need to write something in French.

What are some appropriate things to say to express sympathy?

I do appreciate the help--

Kathy

Hello,

I hope it's not too late to answer you..

In this case, I use this king of words :

Je vous présente (or : nous vous présentons) toutes mes (nos) condoléances en ce douloureux moment.

Toutes mes (nos) pensées vous accompagnent

I will try to translate correctly :

I presente to you all my condolences in this harly time.

All my mind is with you.

I hope it could be usefull for you !

Sundreen, it is absolutely not too late. I was hoping someone would respond with some suggestions.

Thank you so much... and welcome to Slow Travel.

Kathy

Couldn't you equally say "Je vous envoie toute mes condoleances plus sinceres," or something like that?

Yes, it can be an other form, but in french, you don't "send" condolences, you "present" them, it's a better way to tell it.

But you're right, you can also say "je vous présente toutes mes condoéances les plus sincères".

Sundreen

Thanks, Sundreen. And thanks for bringing up another convention used in french that has no equivalent in english: "mes condoleances les plus sinceres." That's always something for english speakers to get the hang of.