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Empathy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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empathy

[ˈɛmpəθi ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in relationships

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It involves putting yourself in someone else's shoes and seeing things from their perspective.

Synonyms

compassion, sympathy, understanding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
empathy

Empathy is best used when you want to describe the ability to deeply understand and share the feelings of another person as if you were experiencing those feelings yourself.

  • She showed great empathy for her friend who was going through a tough time
  • He could empathize with the character in the movie because he had gone through similar struggles
compassion

Compassion is most appropriate when emphasizing a desire to help or relieve the suffering of others. It's about recognizing someone's pain and wanting to take action to help.

  • His compassion for the homeless led him to volunteer at the shelter
  • She felt a deep compassion for the victims of the natural disaster and donated generously
understanding

Understanding is best used when you want to highlight the awareness or knowledge of another person's situation, feelings, or perspective without necessarily sharing or feeling those emotions as deeply.

  • She had an understanding attitude towards her brother's difficulties
  • They appreciated his understanding of their challenges at work
sympathy

Sympathy is suitable when you acknowledge someone's hardship and feel sorrow for them. It indicates a supportive understanding but not necessarily a shared feeling as deep as empathy.

  • He expressed his sympathy to his colleague after the loss of a loved one
  • She sent a sympathy card to her friend who was grieving

Examples of usage

  • She showed great empathy towards her friend who was going through a tough time.
  • Having empathy helps in building strong and meaningful connections with others.
Context #2 | Noun

in psychology

Empathy is the capacity to recognize emotions that are being experienced by another individual. It is essential for forming healthy relationships and effective communication.

Synonyms

caring, emotional intelligence, sensitivity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
empathy

Best used when talking about the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person or group. It involves putting yourself in someone else's shoes.

  • Her empathy made her an excellent counselor
sensitivity

Use when referring to being easily affected by the feelings and thoughts of others or by environmental factors. It can be both positive and negative, depending on the situation.

  • His sensitivity to criticism makes it hard for him to receive feedback
emotional intelligence

Appropriate in discussions about the capability to identify, understand, manage, and use one's own emotions in positive ways to communicate effectively, empathize with others, and resolve conflicts. Often used in professional or personal development contexts.

  • Her emotional intelligence helps her navigate difficult team dynamics at work
caring

Use when referring to showing kindness and concern for others. It is often used to describe someone who takes action to help others.

  • He is very caring towards his elderly neighbors, always helping them with their groceries

Examples of usage

  • Psychologists often emphasize the importance of empathy in therapy sessions.
  • Empathy allows us to connect on a deeper level with those around us.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Psychologists often distinguish between emotional empathy (feeling what another feels) and cognitive empathy (understanding another's feelings intellectually).
  • Studies show that practicing empathy can improve relationships and reduce conflict, demonstrating its importance in social interactions.

Cultural Significance

  • Many cultures value empathy as a cornerstone of strong communities, believing that understanding others fosters cohesion.
  • In some indigenous cultures, empathy is taught as a means of living in harmony with nature and others, showing its broader implications beyond human interactions.

Pop Culture

  • Movies and books often emphasize the value of empathy, using characters’ journeys to connect with audiences emotionally, like in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' or 'The Pursuit of Happyness'.
  • Popular figures like Mister Rogers have become icons for promoting kindness and understanding, emphasizing the importance of empathy in society.

Science

  • Research indicates that humans are hardwired for empathy, with certain brain areas activating when we see others in distress.
  • Mirror neurons play a key role in empathy, allowing us to mimic the feelings and actions of others, making it a natural social response.

Origin of 'empathy'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Greek words 'empatheia', meaning 'passion' or 'emotion', and 'pathos', meaning 'feeling'.
  • It was first used in English in the early 20th century, referring to a sense of connection in art and literature before shifting to emotional understanding.

The term empathy was coined in the early 20th century by psychologist Edward Titchener, who derived it from the German word 'Einfühlung', meaning 'feeling into'. The concept of empathy has since become a crucial aspect of psychology and interpersonal relationships, emphasizing the importance of understanding and sharing the emotions of others.

See also: empathetic, empathize, empathizer.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,788, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.