What is the meaning of お気の毒に and how is it used?


Although the there are several definitions in the dictionary:

  * my condolences
  * that's too bad
  * my sympathies

What does お気の毒に literally mean? I'm guessing that it might have something to
do with "poisoned ki".

After checking the dictionary, this phrase seems to be said to someone who has
had a death in their family. Is it also used in other situations, such as:

  * To someone who has a family member with a terminal illness (cancer), just diagnosed with cancer, living with cancer, dementia, parkinson's, etc?

  * Said directly to the person who has the disease or debilitating condition?




The literal meaning of the phrase is 'poisonous for your mind'. I think you
are trying to literary understand the `毒` 'poison' part, but that is just a
metaphor. The expression is not limited to medical situations. It means
'unfortunate' and is used generally.

