Expressing condolences?

[WalterWills]

Does anyone have any advice for expressing condolences in Japanese?
I learnt some bad news from a penpal and I'm not sure what to say.

Maybe something along the lines of..."I'm really sorry to hear that."

I don't want to dwell on the subject.

[WalterWills]

It's OK, I've got something appropriate　のｗ

[Psy]

The expressions I learned for such a case are ご愁傷様でございました／でした (go-shuushou-sama de gozaimashita/deshita, my sincerest condolences-- formal), and お気の毒でした (o-ki no doku deshita, what a pity).

Japanese being the complex mess of formalities that it is, there are bound to be lots of other ways.

[WalterWills]

Thanks Psy.

I searched the lessons on this website but didn't find anything..and then, AFTER I had replied, I was listening to some Jpod lessons and they suddenly came to this subject!