teilnehmend
sympathetic
Showing compassion or sympathy for another person's situation.
EXAMPLE
Er hörte sich ihre Sorgen mit teilnehmender Miene an.
He listened to her worries with a sympathetic expression.
teilnehmend
sympathetic / participating
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Meanings
teilnehmend
participating
Taking part in an event or activity; being present and involved.
EXAMPLE
Die teilnehmenden Sportler erhielten alle eine Medaille.
The participating athletes all received a medal.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Teilnehmend' (sympathetic/participating) is the present participle of the verb 'teilnehmen' (to participate). This form describes a person or thing that is currently active. This can refer to an event ('an etwas teilnehmen' — to take part in something) or to a person's feelings ('Anteil nehmen' — to sympathize).
EXAMPLE
Alle teilnehmenden Kinder bekamen eine Urkunde.
All participating children received a certificate.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from context. If it is about feelings and reactions, it means sympathy (e.g. 'ein teilnehmender Blick' — a sympathetic look). If it is about an event or activity, it refers to the participants (e.g. 'die teilnehmenden Firmen' — the participating companies).
EXAMPLE
Sie hörte seiner Geschichte mit teilnehmendem Interesse zu.
She listened to his story with sympathetic interest.
Typical collocations
In the meaning of 'mitfühlend' (sympathetic), the adjective is often combined with words that express a reaction or attitude, e.g. 'eine teilnehmende Geste' (a sympathetic gesture), 'ein teilnehmender Blick' (a sympathetic look), or 'teilnehmende Worte' (sympathetic words).
EXAMPLE
Er legte ihr teilnehmend eine Hand auf die Schulter.
He sympathetically placed a hand on her shoulder.
Use as an attributive adjective
In the meaning of 'partizipierend' (participating), 'teilnehmend' almost always comes directly before a noun referring to a person or a group. It describes who is taking part in an action.
EXAMPLE
Eine Liste der teilnehmenden Künstler finden Sie im Programmheft.
You can find a list of the participating artists in the program booklet.
In real life
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