compassion
Compassion is the feeling of wanting to help someone who is suffering.
Explanation at your level:
Compassion is a good feeling. You see a friend crying. You want to help. You give them a hug. That is compassion. It is being kind to people who are sad.
Compassion means you understand when someone is in trouble. You feel sad for them and you want to make them feel better. It is a very important part of being a good friend.
Compassion is more than just pity. Pity is looking down on someone, but compassion is standing with them. It shows you care about their feelings and want to support them during hard times.
In professional settings, showing compassion is often called empathy. It is the ability to recognize suffering and take action to reduce it. It is a key skill in leadership and healthcare.
Compassion is often discussed in philosophical and ethical frameworks. It is the active desire to alleviate the suffering of others, distinguishing it from mere emotional resonance. It requires both cognitive understanding and emotional intelligence.
Historically, compassion has been a central virtue in major world religions and ethical systems. It represents a sophisticated state of consciousness where the boundary between self and other is blurred, allowing for profound altruistic behavior.
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- A noun
- Means shared suffering
- Implies action
- Very positive
When you feel compassion, you aren't just saying 'I'm sorry you're sad.' You are actually feeling a bit of that person's pain yourself, and it makes you want to reach out and help.
Think of it as a bridge between your heart and someone else's. It is a very noble trait that connects us all as human beings.
The word compassion comes from the Latin words com (meaning 'together') and pati (meaning 'to suffer'). So, literally, it means 'to suffer together.'
It entered English through Old French in the 14th century. It has always carried that beautiful, heavy meaning of shared struggle.
We usually use compassion in serious or emotional contexts. You might show it to a friend, a stranger, or even an animal.
Common phrases include 'show compassion' or 'have compassion for.' It is a formal word, but it is used in daily life when talking about kindness.
1. A heart of gold: Someone who is very kind and compassionate. 2. Feel for someone: To sympathize with their situation. 3. Walk in someone's shoes: To try and understand another's pain. 4. Kindred spirit: Someone who shares your feelings. 5. Lend a helping hand: The active part of compassion.
Compassion is an uncountable noun, meaning we don't usually say 'a compassion' or 'compassions.' We treat it as a concept.
The stress is on the second syllable: com-PASH-un. It rhymes with 'fashion' and 'passion.'
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'patient'.
Pronunciation Guide
kuhm-PASH-uhn
kuhm-PASH-uhn
Common Errors
- mispronouncing the 'sh' sound
- stressing the first syllable
- adding an extra vowel
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Uncountable nouns
Compassion is important.
Examples by Level
She has compassion.
She has kind heart.
Noun usage.
He showed compassion for the stray dog.
We need more compassion in the world.
Her compassion helped me feel better.
He spoke with great compassion.
They acted with compassion.
Show some compassion to your brother.
Compassion is a gift.
She is full of compassion.
The doctor treated the patient with compassion.
It takes compassion to forgive.
He lacks compassion for his enemies.
She felt a surge of compassion.
Compassion is the basis of charity.
We must treat animals with compassion.
His compassion was evident.
She taught her children about compassion.
The organization works with compassion for the poor.
Compassion fatigue is real for nurses.
He showed remarkable compassion during the crisis.
Her compassionate nature is well known.
We should approach this with compassion.
Compassion is a core value here.
The judge showed compassion in his sentencing.
Compassion bridges the gap between people.
The policy was driven by a deep sense of compassion.
He acted out of pure compassion, not duty.
Compassion is the antidote to cruelty.
She possesses a rare, quiet compassion.
The narrative is filled with human compassion.
Compassion requires us to listen deeply.
His compassion transcends cultural boundaries.
They advocate for a more compassionate society.
The philosopher argued that compassion is an innate human trait.
Her life was a testament to radical compassion.
He viewed the world through a lens of compassion.
Compassion is the bedrock of a moral society.
The poem explores the nuances of human compassion.
There is a profound depth to her compassion.
Compassion is the highest form of wisdom.
He practiced compassion even toward his detractors.
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"have a heart"
be kind
Have a heart and help him!
casualEasily Confused
similar meanings
sympathy is feeling for, compassion is acting on
I have sympathy for your loss.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + shows + compassion + for + Object
He shows compassion for the poor.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
it is uncountable
Tips
Break it down
Remember 'com' + 'passion'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
COM (together) + PASSION (feeling) = Feeling together.
Visual Association
Two people holding hands during a hard time.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Do one kind act today.
Wortherkunft
Latin
Original meaning: to suffer together
Kultureller Kontext
None
Highly valued in social and professional life.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
healthcare
- compassionate care
Conversation Starters
"What does compassion mean to you?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time someone showed you compassion.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
1 FragenNo, compassion is more active.
Teste dich selbst
She has a lot of ___ for others.
It describes a feeling.
Ergebnis: /1
Summary
Compassion is the bridge between feeling for someone and acting to help them.
- A noun
- Means shared suffering
- Implies action
- Very positive
Break it down
Remember 'com' + 'passion'.
Beispiel
This is an example with compassion.
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