das Mitleid
Translation
pity, compassion, sympathy
Examples
Ich habe Mitleid mit ihm.
I feel pity for him.
Aus Mitleid gab sie ihm Geld.
She gave him money out of pity.
Grammar Patterns
to have pity/compassion ((for sb./sth.)) ((mit+3)) He has pity for the sick dog.
out of pity aus Mitleid She helped him purely out of pity.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Mitgefühl, Erbarmen; Antonyms: Schadenfreude, Gleichgültigkeit
Etymology
Composed of 'mit' (with) + 'Leid' (sorrow, suffering). It literally translates to 'with-suffering'.
Memory Tips
Remember it as feeling someone's 'Leid' (suffering) 'mit' (with) them.