15초 만에
- Expresses deep empathy and emotional support for others.
- Commonly used for serious life events like loss or illness.
- Distinguishes genuine compassion from simple pity or politeness.
뜻
It means showing someone that you understand their pain and care about their feelings. It’s like saying 'I see you are hurting, and I am right here with you.'
주요 예문
3 / 7Comforting a friend after a breakup
Ich wollte dir einfach nur mein Mitgefühl zeigen.
I just wanted to show you my compassion.
A boss speaking to an employee about a family emergency
In dieser schweren Zeit möchten wir Ihnen unser Mitgefühl zeigen.
In this difficult time, we would like to show you our compassion.
Texting a friend who failed an important exam
Kopf hoch! Ich zeige dir echtes Mitgefühl, das war echt fies.
Keep your head up! I'm showing you real compassion, that was really mean.
문화적 배경
Germans often express 'Mitgefühl' through practical help (Taten statt Worte). Showing empathy might mean offering to help with paperwork or bringing a meal. In Austria, the phrase 'Mein Beileid' is very common for death, but 'Mitgefühl' is used for general life struggles with a slightly softer, more melodic tone. Swiss German speakers might use 'Mitgfühl' (without the 'e') and emphasize the 'shared' nature of the pain in a very communal sense. In modern German offices, 'Empathie' is often used as a buzzword, but 'Mitgefühl zeigen' remains the more human, less 'corporate' way to describe the action.
The Power of Adjectives
Add 'aufrichtiges' (sincere) to make your empathy sound more heartfelt in letters.
Dative Alert
Always remember: Zeige [Dative Person] Mitgefühl. Never use 'für' with the verb 'zeigen'.
15초 만에
- Expresses deep empathy and emotional support for others.
- Commonly used for serious life events like loss or illness.
- Distinguishes genuine compassion from simple pity or politeness.
What It Means
Mitgefühl zeigen is more than just being nice. It is about emotional resonance. You are telling someone that you feel their pain. It is the German way of saying "I am here for you." It comes from mit (with) and Gefühl (feeling). You are literally sharing a feeling with them. It is a warm and deeply human expression. It bridges the gap between two people during hard times.
How To Use It
You usually use it with a person in the dative case. For example, Er zeigt seiner Schwester Mitgefühl. You can also use it as a noun phrase. You might say, "Danke für dein Mitgefühl." It works well in spoken German. It also looks great in a written card. It is a very versatile collocation. You can also add adverbs like viel or tiefes to make it stronger.
When To Use It
Use it when life gets heavy. If a friend loses their job, show them Mitgefühl. If a neighbor is sick, this is the phrase. It works at work too. If a colleague is stressed, a little Mitgefühl goes a long way. It is perfect for funerals or breakups. It shows you are a good friend. It is a way to acknowledge someone's struggle without being intrusive.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for small annoyances. If your friend drops an ice cream cone, don't say it. That would sound way too dramatic. It might even sound like you are making fun of them. Save it for the big stuff. Also, avoid it in purely transactional settings. You don't show Mitgefühl to a cashier just because the line is long. That would be a bit weird.
Cultural Background
Germans value honesty and directness. Showing Mitgefühl is seen as a sign of character. It is not just a polite social script. It is a genuine offer of support. There is a subtle difference between Mitgefühl and Mitleid. Mitleid can sometimes feel like you are looking down on someone. Mitgefühl feels like you are standing right next to them as an equal. It is a very respected trait in German society.
Common Variations
You might hear Anteilnahme zeigen in very formal settings. That is common for official condolences. Empathie zeigen is also popular now. It sounds a bit more modern or psychological. If you want to be very simple, you can say Ich fühle mit dir. This is a very direct way to show your heart. Mitleid haben is another one, but remember it carries a slightly different weight.
사용 참고사항
The phrase is highly versatile and fits into both formal and informal registers. The main 'gotcha' is ensuring you use the dative case for the person you are addressing.
The Power of Adjectives
Add 'aufrichtiges' (sincere) to make your empathy sound more heartfelt in letters.
Dative Alert
Always remember: Zeige [Dative Person] Mitgefühl. Never use 'für' with the verb 'zeigen'.
Body Language
In Germany, 'Mitgefühl zeigen' often involves a firm handshake or a brief hand on the shoulder, but respect personal space.
Small Talk vs. Empathy
Don't use this phrase as a casual 'how are you'. It's reserved for moments of genuine emotional weight.
예시
7Ich wollte dir einfach nur mein Mitgefühl zeigen.
I just wanted to show you my compassion.
A soft way to open a conversation about their feelings.
In dieser schweren Zeit möchten wir Ihnen unser Mitgefühl zeigen.
In this difficult time, we would like to show you our compassion.
Professional yet warm and supportive.
Kopf hoch! Ich zeige dir echtes Mitgefühl, das war echt fies.
Keep your head up! I'm showing you real compassion, that was really mean.
Casual and supportive via text.
Soll ich jetzt Mitgefühl zeigen oder darf ich schon lachen?
Should I show compassion now or can I laugh already?
Using the phrase ironically to tease a friend.
Wir sind hier, um der Familie unser Mitgefühl zu zeigen.
We are here to show the family our compassion.
Very standard and appropriate for mourning.
Die Menschen weltweit zeigen großes Mitgefühl für die Opfer.
People worldwide are showing great compassion for the victims.
Used in a general, descriptive sense.
Es ist schön zu sehen, wie Kinder Mitgefühl zeigen.
It is nice to see how children show compassion.
Describing a positive character trait.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the correct Dative form of the person.
Ich möchte ______ (mein Freund) mein Mitgefühl zeigen.
The verb 'zeigen' takes a Dative object for the person receiving the action.
Which adjective fits best for a very deep, sincere expression of empathy?
Er zeigte sein ______ Mitgefühl.
'Tiefstes' (deepest) is the standard intensifier for empathy and condolences.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Mein Opa ist gestern gestorben. B: Oh nein, das tut mir leid. Ich möchte dir ______.
In the context of a death, showing empathy is the appropriate social response.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: A colleague is crying because they lost their keys and are late for a meeting.
Even for smaller stresses, showing empathy helps build workplace relationships.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
Mitgefühl vs. Mitleid
When to show Mitgefühl
Personal
- • Breakup
- • Loss of pet
- • Illness
Work
- • Stress
- • Job loss
- • Mistakes
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제Ich möchte ______ (mein Freund) mein Mitgefühl zeigen.
The verb 'zeigen' takes a Dative object for the person receiving the action.
Er zeigte sein ______ Mitgefühl.
'Tiefstes' (deepest) is the standard intensifier for empathy and condolences.
A: Mein Opa ist gestern gestorben. B: Oh nein, das tut mir leid. Ich möchte dir ______.
In the context of a death, showing empathy is the appropriate social response.
Situation: A colleague is crying because they lost their keys and are late for a meeting.
Even for smaller stresses, showing empathy helps build workplace relationships.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
14 질문Mostly yes, but 'Mitgefühl' is the warmer, more traditional German word, while 'Empathie' is more clinical or modern.
Yes, but 'zeigen' implies you are doing something about it, which is usually more appreciated.
The opposite would be 'Gleichgültigkeit zeigen' (showing indifference) or 'Kälte zeigen' (showing coldness).
Use: 'Ich möchte Ihnen mein aufrichtiges Mitgefühl zu [Ereignis] aussprechen.'
Not always, but it can imply you feel sorry for someone who is 'below' you. 'Mitgefühl' is safer for equals.
Yes: 'Er zeigte Mitgefühl' (Präteritum) or 'Er hat Mitgefühl gezeigt' (Perfekt).
Absolutely. 'Ich zeige Mitgefühl für den verletzten Vogel' is perfectly natural.
'Anteilnahme' is more formal and often used specifically for deaths or major disasters.
It is always '{das|n} Mitgefühl'.
Yes, but it's very biting. 'Oh, jetzt zeigst du plötzlich Mitgefühl?'
You would say: 'Ich brauche dein Mitleid nicht.' (Note: usually 'Mitleid' is used here, not 'Mitgefühl').
Yes, though the pronunciation varies, the usage is identical.
Yes, 'Ich wünsche dir viel Mitgefühl' is rare, but 'Er hat viel Mitgefühl gezeigt' is very common.
'Tiefes' (deep) or 'aufrichtiges' (sincere).
관련 표현
Anteilnahme bekunden
synonymTo express sympathy/condolences
Mitleid haben
similarTo have pity
Sich in jemanden hineinversetzen
builds onTo put oneself in someone's shoes
Trost spenden
similarTo provide comfort
Einfühlungsvermögen besitzen
specialized formTo possess the capacity for empathy
