To feel deep compassion and a desire to help those who are suffering.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Feeling sorrow for someone's misfortune.
- Showing mercy or compassion to others.
- A formal term for expressing pity.
Overview
- 1概述：怜悯（liánmǐn）是一个表达深层情感的词汇，核心在于对他人的苦难感同身受。它不仅是简单的同情，还包含了一种居高临下的关怀感或者对弱者的宽容。2) 用法：作为动词，它常接宾语，如“怜悯弱者”或“怜悯之心”。在现代汉语中，它既可以表达真诚的同情，有时也带有一定的复杂心理，即在施予恩惠时意识到对方的无助。3) 常见语境：该词常出现在文学作品、新闻报道或道德讨论中，用以描述对灾民、贫困者或犯错者的态度。在口语中，人们有时会用“同情”来替代，因为“怜悯”有时被认为带有优越感。4) 近义词辨析：与“同情”相比，“同情”范围更广，通常指对他人处境的理解；而“怜悯”更侧重于对弱势地位的悲悯，带有更强的情感色彩，甚至有时带有宗教色彩的慈悲。
Examples
他不希望得到别人的怜悯。
everydayHe does not want to receive pity from others.
法官对被告表现出了一丝怜悯。
formalThe judge showed a trace of mercy to the defendant.
看着那只受伤的小鸟，我心中充满了怜悯。
informalLooking at the injured bird, my heart was filled with pity.
该文学作品深刻探讨了人性的怜悯与冷漠。
academicThe literature deeply explores the pity and indifference of human nature.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
毫无怜悯
without any mercy
博得怜悯
to win pity
出于怜悯
out of pity
Often Confused With
同情 is neutral and implies shared feelings. 怜悯 implies a higher status for the giver.
慈悲 is often religious, implying deep, selfless love and mercy. 怜悯 is more situational.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This word is formal and carries a specific weight of emotional depth. It should be used carefully to avoid sounding patronizing. In most casual social interactions, '同情' is a safer choice.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use this word to describe themselves, which is incorrect. It is also frequently misused as an adjective, whereas it functions primarily as a verb.
Tips
Use with caution in daily speech
Because '怜悯' can sound condescending, use '同情' for everyday peer-to-peer sympathy.
Avoid using it for yourself
Never use this word to describe your own feelings about yourself, as it implies self-pity which is generally seen as negative.
Connection to traditional Chinese values
It reflects the Confucian virtue of benevolence (仁), emphasizing the duty to care for the weak.
Word Origin
The word combines '怜' (to love/pity) and '悯' (to feel sorrow). Historically, it has been used in classic Chinese texts to describe the moral duty of the virtuous towards the suffering.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, having a '怜悯之心' is considered a fundamental trait of a person with good character, rooted in the Confucian concept of '仁' (Ren).
Memory Tip
Think of '怜' (heartfelt) + '悯' (sadness). When your heart feels sadness for someone's situation, you are feeling '怜悯'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions同情通常指对他人处境的理解和分享，是平等的；怜悯则往往带有一种俯视感，暗示施予者处于更优越的位置。
主要用于人，但也可以用于动物，例如怜悯流浪猫狗，表达对它们生存状态的忧虑。
当你想表达对遭受苦难、无法反抗者的深切关注时，使用该词非常贴切，常用于正式写作。
在某些语境下，如果对方不需要你的怜悯，这种态度可能被视为一种冒犯，显得傲慢。
Test Yourself
我们要对弱势群体保持一颗___的心。
根据上下文，对弱势群体应持有同情和关怀，因此选怜悯。
“他并不需要别人的怜悯。”这句话表达了什么？
这句话通常强调自尊心，拒绝那种带有优越感的同情。
怜悯 / 穷人 / 他 / 总是 / 的
主谓宾结构：他（主）总是（状）怜悯（谓）穷人（宾）。
Score: /3
Summary
To feel deep compassion and a desire to help those who are suffering.
- Feeling sorrow for someone's misfortune.
- Showing mercy or compassion to others.
- A formal term for expressing pity.
Use with caution in daily speech
Because '怜悯' can sound condescending, use '同情' for everyday peer-to-peer sympathy.
Avoid using it for yourself
Never use this word to describe your own feelings about yourself, as it implies self-pity which is generally seen as negative.
Connection to traditional Chinese values
It reflects the Confucian virtue of benevolence (仁), emphasizing the duty to care for the weak.
Examples
4 of 4他不希望得到别人的怜悯。
He does not want to receive pity from others.
法官对被告表现出了一丝怜悯。
The judge showed a trace of mercy to the defendant.
看着那只受伤的小鸟，我心中充满了怜悯。
Looking at the injured bird, my heart was filled with pity.
该文学作品深刻探讨了人性的怜悯与冷漠。
The literature deeply explores the pity and indifference of human nature.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
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有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
一点
A1A little; a bit; slightly.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
