Sympathy or Empathy - What is the difference? - It's time to Learn English... EVERY freaking DAY!

As you know, I love words and

phrases connected to our emotions and the way we feel.

So today

I thought I would look at two words

that relate to that very subject.

The words are 'sympathy' and 'empathy'.

First of all, the word

'sympathy' is a noun that names the action of kinship

or closeness when comforting another person

during a time of difficulty or grief.

You might show 'sympathy' towards a person

who tries and fails to achieve their dreams.

A struggle

or difficulty might lead you to express sympathy.

You might say that

sympathy is the broadest of this type

of emotional response.

As an adjective,

you can express something as sympathy.

A pitiful person taking part in a contest

might receive sympathy votes.

You are being sympathetic.

Then we have the word

'empathy', which has a more specific meaning.

To feel a person's pain or anguish

as if it's your own is 'empathy'.

The deep understanding of another person's suffering

is often described as empathy.

If a person has gone through a similar difficulty.

in the past,

then the sharing of the other person's

pain will be more apparent.

People sharing a deep relationship might find it easy

to show empathy towards each other.

Grief, pain, heartbreak

and loss can all be felt empathetically.

A professional approach towards a person's feelings

is carried out empathetically.

You can offer sympathy.

You feel empathy.

Either way, you are showing

that you care.