Sympathy vs Pity
Sympathy, empathy, compassion, pity, and other similar English words often lead to confusion, as people tend to use one when they mean the other. One might feel pity for someone’s situation while also sympathizing with them, making it difficult to determine which word best describes their feelings. This article examines the differences between sympathy and pity, helping you choose the appropriate word for specific contexts.
Sympathy is a common human emotion felt towards another person, indicating that you are there for them and share their feelings. For instance, if someone is experiencing difficult times, you can sympathize with them and let them know you understand their grief, sorrow, or distress. When someone passes away and you are with the deceased’s family, you offer your sympathies to show that you are there for them in their time of grief and sorrow.
On the other hand, pity refers to feelings of sorrow for others, especially when they are in trouble or experiencing distress or pain. Pity can have a slightly negative connotation, as it may imply condescension. If you see a disabled person, you might feel pity for them and start to feel sorry for their situation. There are times when you are moved by someone’s misfortune and begin to pity them for their poor condition.
Key Takeaways
- You may feel sorry for someone when you pity them, whereas sympathy may not necessarily involve those feelings.
- Sympathy can mean relating to someone going through a difficult phase, while pity can have slightly negative connotations.
- When offering sympathies, you understand the person’s feelings, whereas with pity, you feel sorry for their situation.
