empathy
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empathy
The ability to recognize, understand, and share another person's feelings, thoughts, and motives. A synonym for empathy.
In sozialen Berufen ist Einfühlungsvermögen eine entscheidende Eigenschaft.
In social professions, empathy is a crucial quality.
The word is a compound made up of 'Einfühlung' (empathy) and 'Vermögen' (ability). 'Einfühlung' comes from the verb 'sich einfühlen' (to empathize), and 'Vermögen' here means 'ability' or 'capacity', not 'wealth'.
Gutes Einfühlungsvermögen bedeutet, die Perspektive anderer zu verstehen.
Good empathy means understanding other people's perspectives.
'Einfühlungsvermögen' (empathy) is often combined with the verbs 'haben' (to have), 'zeigen' (to show), or 'besitzen' (to possess). You can have 'viel' (a lot of), 'großes' (great), 'wenig' (little), or 'kein' (no) empathy.
Er zeigte großes Einfühlungsvermögen, als er mir bei meinem Problem zuhörte.
He showed great empathy when he listened to me talk about my problem.
When you want to express whom someone has empathy for, use the preposition 'für' (for) followed by the accusative.
Sie hat viel Einfühlungsvermögen für die Sorgen ihrer Freunde.
She has a lot of empathy for her friends' worries.
understanding
'das Verständnis' and 'das Einfühlungsvermögen' can both mean that you are able to understand other people well. 'Verständnis' more often describes accepting and understanding a situation, behavior, or feelings. 'Einfühlungsvermögen' is more strongly a personal ability: someone can put themselves in other people's shoes and recognize their feelings. In everyday situations, people often say 'Verständnis haben' (to have understanding). When describing a person's quality, 'Einfühlungsvermögen' is especially fitting.
Die Verkäuferin zeigt viel Einfühlungsvermögen, wenn ein Kunde unsicher ist.
The sales assistant shows a lot of empathy when a customer is unsure.
Ich habe Verständnis dafür, dass meine Freundin nach der Arbeit müde ist.
I understand that my friend is tired after work.