Vocabulary
Empathy: meaning and how it differs from sympathy
A coworker shares bad news. Do you know how to show empathy?
This lesson shows how empathy works in caring replies. You will also compare it with sympathy.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
empathy EM-puh-thee
The short answer
Empathy means understanding or sharing another person’s feelings and point of view. Sympathy means concern or sorrow for their difficulty.
I felt deep empathy for my coworker when her project failed.
Why it works: Use empathy when you understand what the other person feels.
3 more examples
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talking with a close friend after work
She showed empathy when I told her about my difficult week.
Use empathy when you understand what the other person feels.
Not this:She
madeempathy when I told her about my difficult week. What changes: Use show or feel with empathy. Make empathy is not the English pattern here. -
a manager remembering early career struggles
I feel great empathy for young workers starting their first job.
Use empathy when you understand the person’s point of view; the same experience is not required.
Not this:I feel great
sympathyfor young workers starting their first job. What changes: Sympathy can also be caring, but it focuses more on concern for the person. -
discussing helpful team leaders
Good managers listen carefully and are empathetic to their teams.
Use the adjective form empathetic after the verb to be.
Not this:Good managers listen carefully and are
empathyto their teams. What changes: Using the noun instead of the adjective sounds broken.
Quick check
When you show empathy to a teammate whose project failed, what are you doing?
Answer: You try to understand the situation from their point of view.
Show the answer
Answer: You try to understand the situation from their point of view.
Empathy means trying to understand another person’s feelings and point of view.
Read the full guide
Step into another person's shoes
The problem: I thought it only meant feeling sorry for people, and I answered the wrong way.
When a friend shares bad news, try to picture how they feel. See the event from their point of view. You do not need to have lived through the same event.
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I felt deep empathy for Mark when he lost his keys in the rain.
Why it works: You can understand the bad moment even if your own story is different.
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She listened quietly to show empathy for her friend's loss.
Why it works: Listening without judging can show empathy.
Your turn
Which sentence shows someone using empathy correctly?
Answer: I felt empathy because I understood how stressful his move was.
Show the answer
Answer: I felt empathy because I understood how stressful his move was.
Empathy means trying to grasp how the other person feels and sees the issue.
Make EM the strong beat
The problem: In films it can sound like one fast word, so I sometimes miss the strong beat.
Start the word with a clear EM. EM is the loudest part. Keep puh and thee short and soft.
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She spoke with great empathy when we met.
Why it works: The strongest beat comes at the start of empathy.
Your turn
Where do you put the strong beat when saying empathy?
Answer: On the first part: EM-puh-thee.
Show the answer
Answer: On the first part: EM-puh-thee.
Empathy has its strongest beat on the first part, EM.
Pick between empathy and sympathy
The problem: I use empathy and sympathy as exact opposites, even when both could show care.
Both words can sound kind. Use empathy to highlight the other person’s view. Choose sympathy when you want to express care after a loss or hardship.
You imagine or share what the other person feels.
I can empathize with your worry about the move.
You care about their difficulty or loss.
You have my sympathy after the storm.
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Not this:
Sympathy never shows real care.Say: Sympathy and empathy can both show care, but their focus differs.
Sympathy focuses on concern. Empathy focuses on understanding or sharing the person’s point of view.
Your turn
Your coworker tells you they failed an exam that you also failed last year. What do you express?
Answer: I express empathy because I understand that kind of pain.
Show the answer
Answer: I express empathy because I understand that kind of pain.
Empathy does not require an identical past experience; it requires understanding the person’s point of view.
Pair the noun with natural verbs
The problem: I tried to say I understood my colleague, but I used the phrase made empathy with him.
Use show empathy when care is clear in words or acts. Feel empathy and have empathy also work. Use for, with, or toward before the person.
| Action you want | Natural phrase |
|---|---|
| Feel it | feel empathy for someone |
| Show care | show empathy toward a friend |
| Have it | have empathy with colleagues |
| Not show it | lack empathy for others |
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Not this:
I made empathy with my coworker during the meeting.Say: I showed empathy toward my coworker during the meeting.
Use show empathy here. Make empathy does not fit this phrase.
Your turn
Complete the sentence with the natural verb.
Answer: A thoughtful manager can show empathy toward people on the team.
Show the answer
Answer: show
Show, feel, and have all pair naturally with empathy in this sentence.
Change to the verb or adjective
The problem: I said that my manager is very empathy, and I said I empathize to my coworker.
Empathy is the noun. Use empathetic to describe someone. Use empathize with for the action.
-
Not this:
My boss is very empathy when problems come up.Say: My boss is very empathetic when problems come up.
Use the describing form empathetic after the verb is.
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Not this:
I can empathize to your current situation.Say: I can empathize with your current situation.
Use with after the verb empathize.
Your turn
Which sentence uses the describing word and action pattern correctly?
Answer: She is very empathetic and can empathize with our team's stress.
Show the answer
Answer: She is very empathetic and can empathize with our team's stress.
Use empathetic to describe someone, and use empathize with for the action.
Before you go
Question 1 of 2
Arrange the words to make a natural sentence.
Answer: The doctor showed empathy for the patient.
Show the answer
Answer: The doctor showed empathy for the patient.
Showed empathy for is the natural phrase in this sentence.
Question 2 of 2 · One new sentence
Your friend is nervous about moving abroad alone. How do you respond with empathy?
a friend nervous about moving abroad alone
Answer: I can empathize with how scary moving to a new country feels.
Show the answer
Answer: I can empathize with how scary moving to a new country feels.
This reply names the fear and considers the friend’s point of view.
Remember this
Empathy means understanding another person’s point of view. Use empathetic for a person and empathize with for the action.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Empathy: meaning and how it differs from sympathy"
What is the difference between empathy and sympathy?
Empathy stresses understanding or sharing another person’s point of view and feelings. Sympathy stresses concern or sorrow for their difficulty. Both can show care.
I can empathize with your worry about the move.
You have my sympathy after your loss.
Do I need the same experience to feel empathy?
No. A similar experience may help, but empathy can come from listening carefully and trying to understand the situation from the other person’s point of view.
I have not moved abroad, but I understand why you feel nervous.
She showed empathy by asking how the change affected him.
Which verbs commonly go with empathy?
Common patterns include show empathy, feel empathy, have empathy, and lack empathy. Use for, with, or toward when the sentence needs a link to a person.
The nurse showed empathy toward the patient.
I feel empathy for new workers.
Which preposition follows empathize?
Use empathize with. The object can be a person, a feeling, or a difficult situation.
I empathize with your frustration.
She can empathize with people who feel left out.
Should I say an empathy person or an empathetic person?
Say an empathetic person. Empathy is the noun, empathetic is the adjective, and empathize is the verb.
Our manager is patient and empathetic.
He can empathize with the new students.
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