compadecer
“compadecer” means “to pity” in Spanish (to feel sadness for someone else's misfortune).
to pity
Also: to feel sorry for, to sympathize with
📝 In Action
Yo compadezco a las personas que no tienen un lugar donde vivir.
B1I pity people who do not have a place to live.
Es imposible no compadecerse de su triste situación.
B2It is impossible not to feel sorry for their sad situation.
No me compadezcas, solo ayúdame a solucionar el problema.
C1Don't pity me, just help me solve the problem.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "compadecer" in Spanish:
to pity→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: compadecer
Question 1 of 3
What is the correct 'yo' (I) form of compadecer in the present tense?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'compati', which literally means 'to suffer with' (com- meaning 'with' and 'pati' meaning 'to suffer').
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'compadecer' a negative word?
Not necessarily. While it involves sadness, it's often used to show deep empathy and shared feeling, though some people might find being 'pitied' (compadecido) a bit uncomfortable.
Can I use it for inanimate objects?
Usually, you compadecer people or animals, but you can compadecer a 'situation' or a 'state of being' metaphorically.
How do I pronounce the 'z' in 'compadezco'?
In Spain, it sounds like the 'th' in 'thin.' In Latin America, it sounds like a standard 's'.