How to say "departed" in Japanese

• 今は亡きいまはなき
  expression, pre-noun adjectivalCovers 'departed' in the sense of a deceased person. A literary way of saying someone has passed away, though it is less common; 亡き is usually the more practical choice for this sense.
• 亡きなき
  pre-noun adjectivalCovers 'departed' meaning 'deceased' or 'late', as in referring to someone who has died. A formal or literary term that is less common in everyday speech, but it is the standard-sounding way to express this respectful sense.
  ある女性じょせいが、帽子ぼうしをかぶって写うつっている亡なき旦那だんなの写真しゃしんをカメラマンの元もとへ持もっていった。↗

  A woman brought an old picture of her dead husband, wearing a hat, to the photographer.

Both words mean 'departed' only in the sense of deceased; use 「亡き」 in formal or literary contexts, and reach for 「今は亡き」 only when a more literary, less common phrasing is wanted.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 今は亡きいまはなきdeparted
• 亡きなきdeceased