Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gnade | /ˈɡnaːdə/ | feminine |
| Erbarmen | /ʔɛɐ̯ˈbarmən/ | neuter |
| Mitleid | /ˈmɪtlaɪ̯t/ | neuter |
| Barmherzigkeit | /baʁmˈhɛʁt͡sɪçkaɪ̯t/ | feminine |
| Nachsicht | /ˈnaχzɪçt/ | feminine |
| Weichherzigkeit | feminine | |
| Huld | /hʊlt/ | feminine |
| Vergebung | /fɛʁˈɡeːbʊŋ/ | feminine |
Gnade is used for legal or religious mercy, such as a pardon or divine mercy. Vergebung refers specifically to the act of forgiving a sin or a debt. If you wish to express the concept of forgiveness or ask for pardon in a formal way, you might use Verzeihung. In legal or highly formal settings, Erlass can be used to convey mercy in the form of a legal pardon or exemption.
Which one should you use?
The different German terms offer specific nuances: Gnade refers to a formal act of leniency or a state of being merciful, whereas Mitleid refers to the feeling of pity or compassion for someone's suffering. If you mean mercy in the sense of being lenient or indulgent toward a mistake, use Nachsicht. For highly dramatic, archaic or religious pleas, Erbarmen is the preferred term.
How does it change in a sentence?
Gnade is a feminine noun. When using an adjective with it, the adjective must take the feminine ending, such as in göttliche Gnade (divine mercy).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡnaːdə/
Did you know?
- In German, the term Gnadenstoß refers to a 'mercy kill' or a 'coup de grâce'. It describes a final blow delivered to end the suffering of a mortally wounded person.
- The term Erbarmen shares a historical root with the word for 'bosom', suggesting that to have mercy is to hold someone close to one's chest.
- While Gnade is used for mercy, the German word for 'grace' is also Gnade. This means the same word covers both the legal act of a pardon and the theological concept of divine grace.
Examples in context
- Tom flehte um Gnade.Tom begged for mercy.This sentence shows how to use Gnade when someone is begging for mercy.Tatoeba #4009762 by pullnosemans, translation #3922274 by CK
- Hab Erbarmen mit mir!Have mercy on me!This sentence demonstrates the dramatic use of Erbarmen in a plea.Tatoeba #1646491 by Esperantostern, translation #1640717 by kerbear407
- Erwarten Sie kein Erbarmen.Expect no mercy.This sentence shows the use of Erbarmen in an instructional or commanding context.Tatoeba #12389195 by mayabe, translation #2245486 by CK
- Ich habe Mitleid mit dirI feel sorry for you
- VerzeihungSorry
- Bitte verzeih mirPlease forgive me
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are discussing a character in a novel.
- HannahHat der König in der Geschichte Gnade gezeigt?Did the king show mercy in the story?
- FelixNein, er war sehr hart zu Felix.No, he was very harsh to Felix.
- HannahDas ist traurig für die Protagonistin.That is sad for the protagonist.
- FelixJa, sie braucht wirklich etwas Gnade.Yes, she really needs some mercy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mercy” translations and entries Gnade, Erbarmen, Mitleid, Barmherzigkeit, Nachsicht, Huld, Vergebung, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Barmherzigkeit, Erbarmen, Mitleid, Nachsicht, erbarmen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
