Mitleid

Meaning

pity, compassion

Hyphenated as

Mit‧leid

Gender

Neuter

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈmɪtlaɪ̯t/

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.

Sentences

Aus Mitleid kaufte Henrike dem frierenden Obdachlosen eine Jacke .

Out of pity, Henrike bought a jacket for the freezing homeless man.