schadenfreude
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schadenfreude
The feeling of pleasure at the misfortune, harm, or embarrassment suffered by another person.
Als der arrogante Läufer kurz vor dem Ziel stürzte, konnte sich das Publikum eine gewisse Schadenfreude nicht verkneifen.
When the arrogant runner fell just before the finish line, the audience couldn't suppress a certain schadenfreude.
The word is made up of 'der Schaden' (damage/harm) and 'die Freude' (joy). So it literally describes joy at another person's harm or bad luck.
Seine Schadenfreude war ihm deutlich anzusehen.
His schadenfreude was clearly visible on his face.
'Schadenfreude' is an internationally known German word because many languages do not have a direct one-word equivalent. It is sometimes even used as a loanword in other languages.
Das Konzept der Schadenfreude ist psychologisch sehr interessant.
The concept of schadenfreude is very interesting psychologically.
Common verbs with this noun are 'Schadenfreude empfinden' (to feel schadenfreude), 'Schadenfreude zeigen' (to show schadenfreude), or 'sich die Schadenfreude nicht verkneifen können' (to be unable to suppress one's schadenfreude). It often describes a spontaneous, sometimes suppressed reaction.
Als sein Konkurrent einen Fehler machte, konnte er eine gewisse Schadenfreude nicht verbergen.
When his competitor made a mistake, he couldn't hide a certain schadenfreude.
pity / compassion
'Mitleid' and 'Schadenfreude' are opposites. With 'Mitleid', you feel for a person who has had something bad happen to them. You find their suffering sad or upsetting. With 'Schadenfreude', you are pleased precisely because someone has a mishap or embarrasses themselves. So the difference lies in the reaction to another person's misfortune: compassion, or pleasure in it.
Nach seinem Fehler im Meeting konnte Tom die Schadenfreude der anderen deutlich spüren.
After his mistake in the meeting, Tom could clearly feel the others' schadenfreude.
Ihr Mitleid war ehrlich, als sie den verletzten Jungen in der Stadt sah.
Her compassion was sincere when she saw the injured boy in town.