die Mitleidenschaft
Translation
damage, detriment, suffering
Examples
Das Haus wurde durch den Sturm in Mitleidenschaft gezogen.
The house was damaged by the storm.
Seine Gesundheit wurde stark in Mitleidenschaft gezogen.
His health was severely affected.
Grammar Patterns
((et4/j-n)) ((in Mitleidenschaft ziehen)) to affect/damage (sth./sb.) The storm affected many houses.
Similar Words
Schaden (damage), Beeinträchtigung (impairment)
Etymology
From 'mit' (with) + 'leiden' (to suffer) + '-schaft' (-ship/state). Literally 'the state of suffering with'. Primarily used in the idiom 'in Mitleidenschaft ziehen' (to affect/damage).
Memory Tips
Memorise the fixed phrase 'in Mitleidenschaft ziehen' (to draw into suffering). Imagine something being pulled into a state of shared suffering or damage.