sympathy
nounfeeling sorry for someone who has a problem
Sympathy stands beside you and says “I'm so sorry.”
Empathy vs sympathy
Both are kind, but they are not the same. One stands beside you. The other stands in your shoes.
2 wordsaudio · quiz
Quick answer
Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone. Empathy is understanding how they feel by imagining their experience.
empathy
noununderstanding how someone feels by imagining their experience
Empathy stands in your shoes and tries to feel how it is.
The difference at a glance
| Word | Type | Means | Example | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sympathy | noun | feeling sorry for someone who has a problem | I sent her a card to show my sympathy. | |
| empathy | noun | understanding how someone feels by imagining their experience | A good nurse shows empathy as well as skill. |
See each one in a sentence
noun
sympathy
Examples
I sent her a card to show my sympathy.
He got no sympathy from his boss.
Common mistake
Not: I sympathy with you.
Say: I sympathise with you.
Sympathy is a noun. The verb is sympathise (UK) or sympathize (US).
noun
empathy
Examples
A good nurse shows empathy as well as skill.
Her empathy helped her see why he was upset.
Common mistake
Not: I can empathy with her.
Say: I can empathise with her.
Empathy is a noun. The verb is empathise (UK) or empathize (US).
Pick the right word
Fill the gap
Read the sentence, then choose the word that fits.
Now use them yourself
Write or say two sentences, one with each word, in a real conversation.