German word

Mitleid

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈmɪtˌlaɪ̯t/

Meaning

  • neuter nounsympathy

Example

Die Folgen des Mitleids sind nicht immer positiv.

The consequences of sympathy are not always positive.

Illustration for Mitleid (sympathy)

More examples

Seine Geschichte erregte Mitleid.

His story aroused sympathy.

Core concept

A compassionate observer looks at another person's pain from a certain distance.

Common phrases

  • Mitleid erregen

    arouse sympathy

  • Mitleid empfinden

    feel sympathy

  • aus Mitleid handeln

    act out of sympathy

Similar words

Mitgefühl: Warm emotional concern that connects with another person's feelings and offers support.
Empathie: An ability to grasp and feel another person's emotions and experiences inwardly.
Anteilnahme: A sorrowful response to another person's grief or hardship, conveyed through words or actions.
Sympathie: A positive feeling of affection, goodwill, or closeness toward someone.

Definition in German

Anteilnahme am Leid eines anderen, häufig mit gewisser Distanz und ohne tiefe Identifikation.

Word origin

The noun Mitleid combines mit, 'with', and Leid, 'suffering', and its meaning developed from this combination into a feeling for someone who suffers.

Usage tips

  • German normally uses Mitleid mit jemandem haben, with mit taking the dative, rather than a direct equivalent of 'pity for someone'.

Other meanings

  • pitynoun
  • compassionnoun

Opposites

  • Herzenskältecold-heartednessnoun
  • Gleichgültigkeitindifferencenoun

Related words

  • mitleidenswertdeserving pityadjective
  • mitleidloscompassionlessadjective

Word lists with this word