Empathy and Sympathy: What’s the Difference?

Empathy vs. Sympathy

Understanding what others feel can be tricky. Two words, empathy and sympathy, help us talk about it. Let’s learn the difference!

History

Both words come from Greek. Empathy comes from “em” (in) and “pathos” (feeling). It means to feel inside what someone else feels. Sympathy comes from “sym” (together) and “pathos” (feeling). It means to feel together with someone else’s feelings.

How to Use Them

Empathy is when you understand someone’s feelings as if you feel them too. Sympathy is when you feel sorry for someone else’s problems or bad luck.

Trick to Remember

Think of sym in “sympathy” as “same.” You feel the same way as someone else but from your own feelings. Think of em in “empathy” as “in.” You step in someone else’s shoes and feel it like they do.

Examples of Empathy

1. She showed empathy when she listened to her friend cry.
2. I felt empathy for my brother when he lost his job.
3. The teacher had empathy for the tired student.
4. He showed empathy by helping the old man stand up.
5. We felt empathy for the hungry dog.

Examples of Sympathy

1. I felt sympathy when my friend told me about her bad day.
2. She gave her sympathy to the family who lost their house.
3. His sympathy was clear when he sent flowers.
4. They all had sympathy for the sad child.
5. Showing sympathy, she hugged her crying friend.

Summary

Empathy means we feel what another person feels because we understand deeply. We step in their shoes. Sympathy means we feel sorry for someone but do not feel their pain ourselves. Remember, use empathy when you feel in the other person’s place, and use sympathy when you feel together but keep your shoes on.