Explanation at your level:
Pity is a feeling. You feel sad for a friend who is hurt. You want to help them. If you see a sad person, you might feel pity. It is like being a kind friend.
When someone has a bad day or is sick, you feel pity for them. It means you are sad because they are sad. You might say, 'It is a pity that you are sick today.' It is a common way to show you care.
Pity is the feeling of compassion for those in misfortune. It is often used to describe a situation where you feel sorry for someone's circumstances. However, be careful—sometimes saying 'I pity you' can sound rude or arrogant, so use it gently.
The noun 'pity' functions as an expression of regret or empathy. In formal contexts, we use it to describe a regrettable situation ('It is a pity that the project failed'). In interpersonal contexts, it describes a sympathetic response to suffering, though it carries a risk of sounding condescending if misapplied.
Beyond simple sympathy, 'pity' in advanced English often carries nuances of hierarchy. It implies an observer who is in a position of relative strength or comfort. Literary usage often explores the tension between pity as a virtue and pity as a form of social distancing. Understanding the register is key to using it effectively.
Etymologically linked to 'piety', the word 'pity' encapsulates a profound shift from moral duty to emotional resonance. In high-level discourse, it is often contrasted with 'empathy'—where empathy is feeling *with* someone, pity is feeling *for* someone. This distinction is vital in philosophical and psychological discussions regarding human suffering and the ethics of compassion.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Pity is feeling sorry for someone.
- It can be a noun or a verb.
- It is similar to compassion.
- Use it carefully to avoid sounding rude.
When you feel pity, you are experiencing a mix of sadness and compassion. It is that heavy feeling in your chest when you see a stray dog in the rain or hear about someone going through a tough time. It is a very human emotion that connects us to others.
Using the word pity can be tricky because it has two sides. While it shows you care, sometimes telling someone you feel pity for them can sound a bit condescending. It implies that you are 'above' them or that their situation is pathetic. Always be mindful of the tone you use!
The word pity has a fascinating journey. It comes from the Old French word 'pite', which itself traces back to the Latin 'pietas'. Originally, 'pietas' meant duty, religious devotion, or even patriotism.
Over centuries, the meaning shifted from a sense of duty toward the gods to a sense of kindness toward fellow humans. It shares the same roots as the word 'piety'. It is a beautiful evolution: from a formal religious obligation to a deeply personal emotional response to the world around us.
You will often hear people say 'take pity on' someone. This is a classic collocation that means to help someone because you feel sorry for them. For example, 'She took pity on the shivering kitten and brought it inside.'
Be careful with phrases like 'I pity you.' In many contexts, this can sound aggressive or arrogant, as if you are looking down on the person. In professional settings, it is usually better to use words like 'empathy' or 'sympathy' to avoid sounding judgmental.
1. Take pity on: To show mercy or help someone in need. 'He took pity on the stranded traveler.'
2. A pity: Used to express regret. 'It’s a pity that it rained during the picnic.'
3. Pity about [something]: Expressing sadness regarding a specific event. 'Pity about the game being canceled.'
4. Out of pity: Doing something only because you feel sorry for someone. 'She invited him out of pity.'
5. Pity party: A slang term for feeling sorry for oneself. 'Stop throwing yourself a pity party and get to work!'
The word pity is usually an uncountable noun when referring to the emotion itself. You don't usually say 'a pity' unless you are using it as an exclamation of regret (e.g., 'What a pity!').
Pronunciation is straightforward: /ˈpɪti/. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with 'city', 'ditty', and 'kitty'. Remember that the 'i' sound is short and crisp, not a long 'ee' sound.
Fun Fact
The word 'pity' and 'piety' are essentially the same word that split into two different meanings over time.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'i' sound, clear 't'
The 't' often sounds like a soft 'd'
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'peety'
- Confusing the vowel with 'ee'
- Dropping the final 'y'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy to read
easy to use
easy to say
easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Abstract Nouns
pity
Imperative Mood
Pity the poor!
Prepositional Phrases
out of pity
Examples by Level
I feel pity for the dog.
feel = experience
Verb + noun
It is a pity.
a pity = a sad thing
Fixed expression
She has pity.
has = possesses
Noun usage
Do not pity me.
do not = negative command
Imperative
He feels pity.
feels = experiences
Simple present
Such a pity!
such = very
Exclamation
I have no pity.
no = zero
Noun phrase
Pity the poor.
pity = verb
Imperative verb
It's a pity you can't come.
I felt pity for the lost child.
She took pity on the cat.
Don't pity me, I am fine.
What a pity about the rain.
He has no pity for his rivals.
The story filled me with pity.
They showed pity to the poor.
It is a great pity that the store closed.
She looked at him with a sense of pity.
I don't want your pity, I want your help.
He took pity on the old man and gave him a ride.
It's a pity we didn't meet earlier.
She felt a pang of pity for her opponent.
Pity is a complex emotion to express.
He was moved by pity to donate money.
Many people find his pity to be patronizing.
It is a pity that such talent is being wasted.
She felt a deep sense of pity for the victims of the disaster.
He was beyond pity; he needed real action.
The charity was born out of a sense of pity.
It is a pity that communication has broken down.
She tried to hide her pity behind a smile.
He took pity on the situation and intervened.
His pity was tinged with a subtle sense of superiority.
There is a fine line between genuine empathy and mere pity.
The novel explores the corrosive nature of pity in relationships.
She regarded his offer of pity with cold disdain.
It is a pity that the nuance of the argument was lost.
He felt a sudden, sharp pity for his younger self.
Pity can sometimes be a mask for indifference.
The tragedy evoked a sense of pity and fear in the audience.
The philosophical implications of pity are vast and debated.
She viewed his pity as an unwanted intrusion on her autonomy.
The poem captures the existential weight of human pity.
To pity someone is to acknowledge their vulnerability.
His pity was not a sign of weakness, but of profound humanity.
The discourse surrounding pity often highlights power imbalances.
She refused to be an object of pity for anyone.
The historical evolution of pity mirrors our changing moral landscape.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"take pity on"
to show kindness to someone in a bad situation
I took pity on him and gave him a coat.
neutral"a pity"
a regrettable situation
It's a pity you can't come to the party.
neutral"pity party"
indulging in self-pity
Stop having a pity party and get moving!
casual"out of pity"
motivated only by sympathy
He only married her out of pity.
neutral"pity's sake"
an exclamation to emphasize
For pity's sake, be quiet!
casual"have no pity"
to be heartless
The villain had no pity for his enemies.
neutralEasily Confused
similar spelling
piety is religious devotion
His piety led him to the monastery.
adjective form
describes a look
A pitying glance.
similar meaning
sympathy is shared feeling
I have sympathy for your loss.
similar meaning
empathy is understanding
She has great empathy.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + feel + pity + for + Object
I feel pity for him.
It + be + a + pity + that + Clause
It is a pity that he failed.
Take + pity + on + Object
Take pity on the poor.
Subject + look + with + pity
She looked at him with pity.
Out + of + pity
She helped him out of pity.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
Pity is a noun or verb, not an adjective.
Pity is an emotion you feel, not a state of being.
Pity implies a human emotional response.
Pity can sound arrogant or condescending.
Piety means religious devotion; pity means compassion.
Tips
Avoid the 'Pity Trap'
Don't tell people you pity them unless you mean it deeply.
Countability
Use 'a pity' for events, but 'pity' for the emotion.
The American 'T'
In US English, the 't' sounds like a quick 'd'.
Etymology
It shares a root with 'piety'.
Contextualize
Write a sentence about a time you felt pity.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Pity = P-I-T-Y: Please I Try to Yield (compassion).
Visual Association
A person helping a sad child.
Word Web
Défi
Use the phrase 'It's a pity' three times today.
Origine du mot
Old French / Latin
Original meaning: Duty, devotion, or religious observance
Contexte culturel
Be careful when using 'I pity you' as it can be interpreted as an insult.
Commonly used in everyday conversation to express minor regrets.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- It is a pity we missed the deadline.
- I feel pity for the team.
travel
- It is a pity the museum is closed.
- Take pity on a lost tourist.
daily life
- What a pity it is raining.
- Don't pity me.
social
- She showed pity for the homeless.
Conversation Starters
"Do you think pity is a good emotion?"
"Have you ever taken pity on someone?"
"Is it ever okay to pity someone?"
"What is the difference between pity and empathy?"
"Do you think pity can be insulting?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt pity.
Is pity a sign of strength or weakness?
Describe a situation where someone showed you pity.
How can we help others without making them feel pitied?
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsNo, empathy is feeling *with* someone; pity is feeling *for* them.
Yes, 'I pity you'.
It can be if used to look down on someone.
Pities.
PI-tee.
It is used in both formal and informal settings.
Cruelty or indifference.
Yes, 'self-pity'.
Teste-toi
I feel ___ for the sad boy.
Pity is the feeling of sadness for others.
What does 'take pity on' mean?
It means to show kindness.
Is 'pity' always a positive word?
It can sound condescending.
Word
Signification
Matching synonyms and antonyms.
Standard structure for regret.
Score : /5
Summary
Pity is a powerful emotion that bridges the gap between our feelings and the suffering of others, but it must be used with sensitivity.
- Pity is feeling sorry for someone.
- It can be a noun or a verb.
- It is similar to compassion.
- Use it carefully to avoid sounding rude.
Avoid the 'Pity Trap'
Don't tell people you pity them unless you mean it deeply.
Countability
Use 'a pity' for events, but 'pity' for the emotion.
The American 'T'
In US English, the 't' sounds like a quick 'd'.
Etymology
It shares a root with 'piety'.
