Mitleid

German

Etymology

From Middle High German mitelīden, first used in mystic literature as a calque of Latin compassiō (“compassion”), itself a calque of Ancient Greek συμπάθεια (sumpátheia, “compassion, sympathy”). By surface analysis, mit (“with”) +‎ Leid (“sorrow, suffering”). From Middle High German is borrowed Dutch medelijden.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈmɪtlaɪ̯t/
  • Hyphenation: Mit‧leid
  • Audio (Germany (Berlin)):(file)

Noun

Mitleid n (strong, genitive Mitleides or Mitleids, no plural)

  1. pity, compassion
    (mit jemandem) Mitleid empfinden ― to feel pity/sorry (for someone)

Declension

Declension of Mitleid [sg-only, neuter, strong]
singular
indef. def. noun
nominative ein das Mitleid
genitive eines des Mitleides, Mitleids
dative einem dem Mitleid, Mitleide1
accusative ein das Mitleid

1Now rare, see notes.

Derived terms

Further reading

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