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> das Mitleid - "mit" means with, and "leid" would be related to the verb "leiden", to suffer. So you'd have "with-suffering", which makes it possible to guess
by kwhitefoot 8y ago
> das Mitleid - "mit" means with, and "leid" would be related to the verb "leiden", to suffer. So you'd have "with-suffering", which makes it possible to guess the actual meaning - "compassion"
That is just the same in English. Although you probably need to remember a bit more etymology, and some Latin doesn't hurt, "compassion" is just the same. "com" means with and "passion" in this context also means suffering.
- SideburnsOfDoom 8y ago> some Latin doesn't hurt, "compassion" is just the same. "com" means with English uses this "second register" to make words, which makes it harder. German and Dutch do not, they use the regular vocabulary. The classic example is scientific terms like "Carbon", ""hydrogen": In German "Kohlenstoff" and "Wasserstoff". It helps if you realise that "stoff" is stuff, material; "Kohle" is coal and "wasser" is water.
- kieuk 8y agoThat's also the composition of 'sympathy', just that's Greek instead of Latin.
- archi42 8y agoWhile you're right, I can't help but notice: It's important to know the difference between "composition" and "symposium" ;-)
- porpoisely 8y agoAnd some ancient greek doesn't hurt either ( philosophy, philadelphia, telephone, etc ). That neither latin nor ancient greek are part of the public education curriculum is a sin.
- Rondom 8y agoIn some contries it is (as an option to choose from) and at some schools even compulsory.