Warm care
Sympathetic
Also known as empathetic, pity
Strength 2 of 4
Feeling for someone in their difficulty and wishing it were otherwise for them, while it stays their trouble rather than yours.
In the body
- Brow drawing together
- Head tilting towards them
- A lowered, softened voice
Needs behind it
When these needs are met
Softer and stronger
- Caring
- Sympathetic
- Compassionate
- Protective
- Tender
Often confused with
Compassionate
Sympathetic is feeling sorry for someone’s trouble from a little distance; compassionate stays close to the suffering with a steady wish to ease it.
Sorry
Sorry is regret for your own part in something; sympathetic is feeling for someone else’s trouble that you did not cause.