Das Mitleid: (n.) the compassion.
A lot of Americans (or maybe I should say English speakers) know the word 'Schadenfreud,' which is the happiness one feels about another person's sadness. Today's word, 'mitleid,' is the sadness one feels about another's sadness. It is, in essence, sympathy.
Breaking it down, 'mit' means 'with' and 'leid' means 'sorrow,' 'grief,' or 'misfortune.' When one shows another 'mitleid,' one is sharing in their sorrows. In name, at least, 'mitleid' goes beyond pity to mean the act of shouldering part of another person's burden.
To me, that is a powerful word indeed.
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