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sympathy and Spanish simpatía
In English
sympathy
compassion / condolences
In Spanish
simpatía
agrado
Spanish "simpatía" means: charm / friendliness
Why they get mixed up Spanish "simpatía" is the pleasant feeling or good vibe you have toward someone. English "sympathy" is the compassion you feel for someone else's suffering. Spanish "simpatía" in English is "fondness" or "likeability."
If you want to say...
- sympathycompasión o pésame
- charmsimpatía
- empathyempatía
Examples
You have my sympathy.
Tienes mi comprensión.
They sent a sympathy card.
Enviaron una tarjeta de condolencias.
She felt deep sympathy for the victims.
Sintió profunda compasión por las víctimas.
Please accept my sympathy for your loss.
Por favor, acepta mis condolencias por tu pérdida.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: Le mandé mi simpatía a la familia por su pérdida.
Correct: Le di el pésame a la familia por su pérdida.
Simpatía means charm or likability. For condolences, use pésame or condolencias.
Incorrect: Sentí simpatía por las víctimas del terremoto.
Correct: Sentí compasión por las víctimas del terremoto.
Simpatía is a positive charm. For compassion, use compasión or lástima.
Phrases you will hear
- deep sympathyprofunda compasión
- a sympathy carduna tarjeta de pésame
- express sympathyexpresar condolencias
- in sympathy withen solidaridad con
- charmsimpatía (encanto)
- likabilitysimpatía
In a conversation
- A:
You have my sympathy.
Cuentas con mi compasión.
- B:
Thank you. It means a lot.
Gracias. Significa mucho.
- A:
You have real charm, too.
Tú también tienes mucha simpatía.
- B:
Thanks. Charm helps in hard times.
Gracias. El encanto ayuda en los momentos difíciles.
Test yourself
"My deepest sympathy" means...
To remember it
Sympathy = compassion/condolences. Charm/likeability (Spanish "simpatía") = charm.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "simpatía" mean?
Spanish "simpatía" means "charm / friendliness". It looks like the English "sympathy", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "sympathy" means "compassion / condolences".
Does English "sympathy" mean the same as Spanish "simpatía"?
Spanish "simpatía" is the pleasant feeling or good vibe you have toward someone. English "sympathy" is the compassion you feel for someone else's suffering. Spanish "simpatía" in English is "fondness" or "likeability."