Emotions / C1

EMP-uh-thee/ˈempəθi/

Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s feelings: show empathy, empathy with / for a student. Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone (often from outside); compassion is a wish to help; pity can condescend. Empathetic (or empathic) is the adjective; empathise is the verb (British spelling). In speech, understanding how they feel is enough. Empathy is understanding, not agreement. Do not confuse it with sympathy, and do not claim empathy as a substitute for fair procedure.

Meaning

The ability to understand another person’s feelings.

Examples

• “Good teachers show empathy.”
• “Good teachers show empathy without dropping the standard.”
• “Empathy with the angry parent did not mean rewriting the mark; it meant listening first.”

Good to know

Understanding another’s feelings. Verb: empathise. Adjective: empathetic. Everyday: understanding how they feel. Contrast: sympathy (sorry for), pity.

Near in meaning

compassion

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