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sympathetic and Spanish simpático
In English
sympathetic
understanding / compassionate
In Spanish
simpático
agradable
Spanish "simpático" means: nice / friendly
Why they get mixed up Spanish "simpático" is someone pleasant, nice to talk to. English "sympathetic" is someone who shows understanding and compassion toward another's suffering. Spanish "simpático" in English is "likeable" or "nice."
If you want to say...
- sympatheticcomprensivo o compasivo
- nice, likeablesimpático
- my sympathiesmis condolencias
Examples
She was very sympathetic when I lost my job.
Fue muy comprensiva cuando perdí mi trabajo.
A sympathetic doctor listens to patients.
Un doctor compasivo escucha a los pacientes.
Her boss was sympathetic and gave her a day off.
Su jefe fue comprensivo y le dio un día libre.
I'm not very sympathetic to people who never try.
No tengo mucha compasión por la gente que nunca lo intenta.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: Mi amiga fue muy simpática cuando murió mi abuelo.
Correct: Mi amiga fue muy comprensiva cuando murió mi abuelo.
Simpático means nice or likeable. To be supportive in a sad moment, use comprensivo or compasivo.
Incorrect: Le di mis simpatías a la familia.
Correct: Le di mis condolencias a la familia.
The English "my sympathies" is "mis condolencias" or "lo siento mucho".
Phrases you will hear
- a sympathetic earalguien que escucha con comprensión
- sympathetic to a causefavorable a una causa
- a sympathy carduna tarjeta de pésame
- my sympathiesmis condolencias
- feel sympathy for someonesentir compasión por alguien
- a sympathetic replyuna respuesta comprensiva
In a conversation
- A:
My dog died yesterday.
Ayer murió mi perro.
- B:
I'm so sorry. You have my sympathy.
Lo siento mucho. Cuentas con mi compasión.
- A:
Thanks. You're very sympathetic.
Gracias. Eres muy comprensivo.
- B:
And you're a really nice person.
Y tú eres una persona muy simpática.
Test yourself
"He was sympathetic" means...
To remember it
Sympathetic = understanding/compassionate (feels what you feel). Pleasant/nice (Spanish "simpático") = nice/friendly.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "simpático" mean?
Spanish "simpático" means "nice / friendly". It looks like the English "sympathetic", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "sympathetic" means "understanding / compassionate".
Does English "sympathetic" mean the same as Spanish "simpático"?
Spanish "simpático" is someone pleasant, nice to talk to. English "sympathetic" is someone who shows understanding and compassion toward another's suffering. Spanish "simpático" in English is "likeable" or "nice."