German word

Pathos

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈpaːtɔs/

Meaning

  • neuter nounemotional force

Example

Man spürte das Pathos in seiner Stimme.

The emotional force in his voice could be felt.

Illustration for Pathos (emotional force)

More examples

Die Werbung setzte bewusst Pathos ein, um starke Gefühle zu wecken.

The advertisement deliberately employed emotional force to evoke strong feelings.

Core concept

Words, gestures, or artistic lines seem charged with intense feeling and aim to move an audience deeply.

Common phrases

  • übertriebenes Pathos

    exaggerated emotional force

  • Pathos zeigen

    display emotional force

Similar words

Gefühl: An everyday feeling or sensation arising within a person.
Emotion: A powerful feeling that appears suddenly and strongly.
Leidenschaft: Sustained, passionate devotion to a person, activity, or cause.

Definition in German

eine stark gefühlsbetonte, manchmal übersteigerte Ausdrucksweise in Texten, Reden oder Kunst.

Word origin

Greek páthos entered rhetorical vocabulary as a term for stirring emotion and later developed into the broader German sense of emotionally charged expression.

Usage tips

  • English pathos commonly evokes sadness or pity, while German Pathos can describe solemn, passionate, or inflated expression more generally.

Opposites

  • Sachlichkeitmatter-of-factnessnoun

Related words

  • pathetisierenmake sentimentalverb
  • pathetischemotionaladjective

Word lists with this word