Which one should you use?
While compasión is the standard translation for 'sympathy' in the sense of feeling pity, it often carries a stronger connotation of deep compassion or mercy than the English word 'sympathy' might.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun compasión is feminine, so any accompanying adjectives must also be feminine, such as mucha compasión (much sympathy).
How do you pronounce it?
/kompaˈsjon/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use simpatía to mean 'sympathy', but simpatía actually refers to being likable or having a pleasant personality.
When do people say it?
When offering condolences to someone who has experienced a loss, you may use the word pésame (condolences). In formal situations, you can say Le expreso mi más sentido pésame (I express my deepest condolences to you), Quiero transmitirle mi más sincero pésame (I want to convey my most sincere condolences to you), Lamento mucho su pérdida (I am deeply sorry for your loss), Mis pensamientos y oraciones están con usted y su familia en estos momentos difíciles (My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during these difficult times) or Permítame expresarle mi sincero pesar por su pérdida (Allow me to express my sincere sorrow for your loss). In more informal settings, it is common to say Te envío un fuerte abrazo (I send you a big hug).
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the feeling of 'sympathy' is often expressed through the word pesar, which literally translates to 'weight' or 'heaviness'.
- The word pésame is a combination of the verb 'pesar' and the pronoun 'me', effectively meaning 'it weighs on me'.
- The word compasión shares its root with the English word 'compassion', both stemming from the Latin 'compatior', meaning 'to suffer with'.
Examples in context
- No necesito tu compasión.I don't need your sympathy.This sentence shows how to deny the need for sympathy using compasión.Tatoeba #1586748 by marcelostockle, translation #8431825 by Luiaard
- No necesita compasión, pero sí el apoyo.She doesn't need sympathy, but support.This sentence contrasts the need for sympathy with the need for support using compasión.Tatoeba #2846573 by cueyayotl, translation #3847381 by rajulbat
- Su indefensión apela a su compasión maternal.His helplessness appeals to her motherly sympathy.This sentence illustrates how helplessness can appeal to maternal sympathy using compasión.Tatoeba #5767249 by albrusgher, translation #847162 by Source_Benedict_1921
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are talking about a homeless person they saw.
- LucíaEse hombre me da mucha compasión.I feel a lot of sympathy for that man.
- JavierYo también, se ve que sufre mucho.Me too, he looks like he is suffering a lot.
- LucíaDeberíamos hacer algo para ayudarlo.We should do something to help him.
- JavierTienes razón, Javier está de acuerdo contigo.You are right, Javier agrees with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sympathy” translations and entries compasión, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compasión, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
