mercy
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mercy
An attitude of compassion and active willingness to help people in need, suffering, or guilt, often connected with a readiness to forgive.
Der Richter zeigte Barmherzigkeit und verhängte nur eine milde Strafe.
The judge showed mercy and imposed only a mild sentence.
The word has old roots: it comes from '(erb)armen' (to have mercy/pity) and 'Herz' (heart). So it describes the attitude of having a heart for the poor and those in need. The ending '-keit' makes it an abstract noun.
Aus Barmherzigkeit gab sie dem Bettler etwas Geld.
Out of mercy, she gave the beggar some money.
Common verbs used with 'Barmherzigkeit' (mercy) are 'zeigen' (to show), 'üben' (to practice/exercise), or 'um etwas bitten' (to ask for something). A very formal expression is 'Barmherzigkeit walten lassen' (to show mercy).
Der Verurteilte bat den König um Barmherzigkeit.
The condemned man begged the king for mercy.
'Barmherzigkeit' (mercy) is an elevated, rather formal word. It is often found in religious, philosophical, or legal texts, but rarely in everyday colloquial speech.
In vielen Religionen ist Barmherzigkeit eine wichtige Tugend.
In many religions, mercy is an important virtue.
pity / compassion
Mitleid initially refers to feeling sympathy for a person's suffering. Barmherzigkeit is a compassionate attitude that also particularly includes active help or forgiveness. Mitleid is appropriate for the feeling alone; when the compassion leads to a helpful or forgiving response, Barmherzigkeit is the better choice.
Aus Barmherzigkeit gab die Frau dem frierenden Mann eine warme Mahlzeit.
Out of mercy, the woman gave the shivering man a hot meal.
Die Frau empfand Mitleid mit dem frierenden Mann vor dem Haus.
The woman felt pity for the man who was shivering outside the house.
