Mitleid

German

Etymology

From Middle High German mitelīden, first used in mystic literature as a calque of Latin compassiō (“compassion”), itself a calque of Ancient Greek συμπάθεια (sumpátheia, “compassion,sympathy”). Analysable as mit (“with”) +‎ Leid (“sorrow, suffering”). From Middle High German is borrowed Dutch medelijden.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈmɪtlaɪ̯t/
Hyphenation: Mit‧leid
Audio (file)

Noun

Mitleid n (genitive Mitleides or Mitleids, no plural)

pity, compassion

Declension

Declension of Mitleid (uncountable)

	singular
	indef.	def.	noun
nominative	ein	das	Mitleid
genitive	eines	des	Mitleides, Mitleids
dative	einem	dem	Mitleid, Mitleide¹
accusative	ein	das	Mitleid

¹Now uncommon, see notes

Derived terms

mitleiderregend‎
mitleidig