understanding
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understanding
Showing understanding and compassion for another person's situation, feelings, or actions.
Mein Chef reagierte sehr verständnisvoll, als ich ihm von meinen familiären Problemen erzählte.
My boss reacted very understandingly when I told him about my family problems.
The word is simple in structure: it consists of the noun 'das Verständnis' (understanding) and the ending '-voll' (full of). So it literally means 'full of understanding'.
Sie ist eine sehr verständnisvolle Freundin.
She is a very understanding friend.
'Verständnisvoll' (understanding) is often used as an adverb to describe a reaction. Typical combinations are 'verständnisvoll nicken' (to nod understandingly), 'verständnisvoll lächeln' (to smile understandingly), or 'verständnisvoll zuhören' (to listen understandingly).
Er hörte meiner Erklärung verständnisvoll zu, ohne mich zu unterbrechen.
He listened to my explanation understandingly, without interrupting me.
This adjective typically describes a reaction to another person's problems, mistakes, or feelings. It expresses empathy and a nonjudgmental attitude.
Obwohl ich zu spät kam, war mein Lehrer sehr verständnisvoll.
Although I arrived late, my teacher was very understanding.
empathetic
Verständnisvoll and einfühlsam both describe dealing well with other people's feelings. Verständnisvoll emphasizes accepting someone's difficult situation and responding supportively. Einfühlsam places more emphasis on recognizing the other person's thoughts and feelings and adapting one's response accordingly.
Lea reagiert verständnisvoll, als ihre traurige Freundin das Treffen kurzfristig absagt.
Lea responds understandingly when her sad friend cancels the meeting at short notice.
Lea bemerkt die unausgesprochene Traurigkeit ihrer Freundin und findet einfühlsame Worte.
Lea notices her friend's unspoken sadness and finds empathetic words.
