das
Mitleid
😢 What exactly does "das Mitleid" mean?
Das Mitleid (neuter gender) refers to the feeling of compassion or sympathy for the suffering or misfortune of others. It's a form of empathy that often includes the desire to help the sufferer or alleviate their pain. It expresses concern for the well-being of others.
There is only this one meaning and the article das. The word is almost exclusively used in the singular.
🧐 Grammar of "das Mitleid" in Detail
"Das Mitleid" is a noun of neuter gender. It is typically only used in the singular. The plural ("die Mitleide") is very uncommon and mostly found in poetic or philosophical contexts.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | das | Mitleid |
| Genitive (Possessive) | des | Mitleid(e)s |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | dem | Mitleid(e) |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | das | Mitleid |
(Plural rare)
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Mitleide |
| Genitive | der | Mitleide |
| Dative | den | Mitleiden |
| Accusative | die | Mitleide |
📝 Example Sentences
- Sie zeigte großes Mitleid mit den Opfern der Katastrophe.
(She showed great compassion for the victims of the disaster.) - Aus reinem Mitleid gab er dem Bettler etwas Geld.
(Out of pure pity, he gave the beggar some money.) - Sein Gesicht spiegelte tiefes Mitleid wider.
(His face reflected deep compassion.) - Manchmal ist Mitleid nicht das, was eine Person braucht, sondern Unterstützung.
(Sometimes pity isn't what a person needs, but support.)
🗣️ How to Use "Mitleid"?
"Mitleid" is used to express the feeling of sympathy when someone is suffering. It can have positive connotations (compassion, desire to help) but sometimes also slightly negative ones (if it seems condescending).
- Mitleid haben mit jemandem: to feel pity/compassion for someone. (e.g., Ich habe Mitleid mit ihm - I feel sorry for him.)
- Aus Mitleid handeln: to act out of pity. (e.g., Er handelte nur aus Mitleid - He only acted out of pity.)
- Kein Mitleid zeigen/kennen: to show/know no mercy/pity. (e.g., Der Diktator kannte kein Mitleid - The dictator knew no mercy.)
- Um Mitleid bitten: to ask for pity/mercy. (e.g., Sie bat um Mitleid - She asked for pity.)
⚠️ Important: Mitleid is not exactly the same as Empathie (empathy). Empathie means understanding and sharing the feelings of another, while Mitleid emphasizes more the feeling of sorrow for someone else's suffering.
🧠 Mnemonics for "das Mitleid"
Article Mnemonic: Think of "das Leid" (the suffering). When you suffer WITH someone (mit = with), you feel "das Mit-leid". Both Leid and Mitleid are 'das'.
Meaning Mnemonic: Break it down: "Mit" means "with", and "Leid" means "suffering" or "pain". So, "Mitleid" is literally "with-suffering" – feeling compassion by figuratively being 'with' someone in their suffering.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Mitleid
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Mitgefühl: (Compassion) Very similar, often interchangeable, emphasizes feeling with someone.
- Erbarmen: (Mercy, pity) Stronger, often used in religious contexts or situations of great distress.
- Anteilnahme: (Sympathy, condolence) Shows participation in someone's fate, a bit more formal.
- Barmherzigkeit: (Mercy, charity) Active helping out of pity, often with religious connotations.
Antonyms (opposite meaning):
- Schadenfreude: (Malicious joy) Joy derived from someone else's misfortune.
- Gleichgültigkeit: (Indifference) Lack of interest in the suffering of others.
- Hartherzigkeit: (Hard-heartedness) Inability to feel compassion.
- Unbarmherzigkeit: (Ruthlessness, mercilessness) Cruelty, lack of mercy.
⚠️ Similar but different words:
- Empathie: (Empathy) The ability to understand and share the feelings of another, without necessarily feeling pity.
- Sympathie: (Sympathy, liking) Affection or positive attitude towards someone (can also mean agreement, but less common in this context).
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Computer Mitleid mit der Maus?
Weil sie immer geklickt wird!
--- English Translation ---
Why did the computer feel sorry for the mouse?
Because it's always getting clicked!
📜 A Short Poem about Mitleid
Wenn Tränen fließen, Schmerz sich zeigt,
Ein Herz, das leise mit dir neigt.
Nicht nur das Leid von fern betrachten,
Sondern im Stillen mit dir schmachten.
Das ist das Band, so sanft und lind,
Das uns als Menschen oft verbind'.
Ein leises Wort, ein warmer Blick,
Das Mitleid kehrt als Trost zurück.
--- English Translation ---
When tears flow, pain reveals itself,
A heart that softly leans with you.
Not just observing sorrow from afar,
But silently languishing with you.
That is the bond, so gentle and mild,
That often connects us as humans.
A quiet word, a warm glance,
Compassion returns as solace.
🧩 Who am I? A Riddle
Ich teile den Schmerz, doch fühl ihn nicht selbst.
Ich sehe das Leid und biete oft Trost an.
Manchmal bin ich still, manchmal treibe ich zur Tat an.
Mein Gegenteil freut sich, wenn jemand fällt tief.
Wer bin ich?
Lösung: Das Mitleid
--- English Translation ---
I share the pain, but don't feel it myself.
I see the suffering and often offer comfort.
Sometimes I am quiet, sometimes I spur to action.
My opposite rejoices when someone falls low.
Who am I?
Answer: Mitleid (Pity/Compassion)
💡 More about the word "Mitleid"
Word Composition: The word "Mitleid" is composed of the prefix "mit-" (which expresses community or participation, meaning "with") and the noun "Leid" (suffering, sorrow, pain, misfortune). So it literally translates to "with-suffering".
Cultural Nuances: While Mitleid (compassion/pity) is often seen as a positive trait, there are cultural discussions about whether it can sometimes be perceived as condescending, or whether Empathie (empathy) and active support (Unterstützung) are preferable.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Mitleid?
The answer is clear: It is always das Mitleid. It describes compassion or pity for someone else's suffering and is almost exclusively used in the singular.