liking / sympathy
Loading your saved state.
liking
A feeling of affection and goodwill toward a person that makes you like them.
Ich hatte von Anfang an eine große Sympathie für meine neue Kollegin.
I felt a strong liking for my new colleague from the very beginning.
Although it sounds similar, 'Sympathie' does not always mean the same thing as the English 'sympathy'. In German, it often simply describes liking a person (affection), while 'sympathy' usually means compassion in a bad situation.
Ich finde, der neue Chef ist eine gute Wahl, ich habe sofort Sympathie für ihn empfunden.
I think the new boss is a good choice; I felt an immediate liking for him.
The word contains the root '-pathie', which means 'feeling' or 'suffering'. You can also find this root in words like 'Antipathie' (aversion), 'Empathie' (the ability to put oneself in someone else's position), and 'Apathie' (apathy).
Seine Antipathie gegen laute Musik ist bekannt.
His aversion to loud music is well known.
If you want to express that you like someone, the fixed structures are 'Sympathie für jemanden haben' (to have a liking for someone) or 'Sympathie für jemanden empfinden' (to feel a liking for someone). The preposition 'für' is always followed by the accusative.
Sie hat eine große Sympathie für Menschen, die ehrlich sind.
She has a strong liking for people who are honest.
In the context of misfortune, suffering, or victims, 'Sympathie' means sympathy or compassion. Typical verbs in this context are 'seine Sympathie zeigen' (to show one's sympathy) or 'seine Sympathie ausdrücken' (to express one's sympathy).
Der Politiker drückte den Familien der Opfer seine tiefe Sympathie aus.
The politician expressed his deep sympathy to the families of the victims.
love
'die Liebe' and 'die Sympathie' both describe positive feelings toward a person. However, 'Liebe' is much stronger and deeper. It means a close emotional bond, for example within a family or in a romantic relationship. 'Sympathie' is more about liking someone and having a good feeling about that person. This can develop even after a short conversation. Learners may confuse the words because both express affection. If the feeling is still light or general, 'Sympathie' fits. If it is very deep and personal, you are more likely to say 'Liebe'.
Schon beim ersten Gespräch hatte Lisa große Sympathie für die neue Kollegin.
From the very first conversation, Lisa felt a strong liking for her new colleague.
Nach vielen Jahren ist ihre Liebe immer noch sehr stark.
After many years, their love is still very strong.