सहानुभूति दिखाना
to show compassion
Literally: to show compassion
Use this phrase to describe showing genuine emotional support to someone facing a difficult situation.
In 15 Seconds
- To show empathy or compassion toward someone in distress.
- Combines 'Saha' (with) and 'Anubhuti' (feeling) to mean 'feeling with'.
- Used in both personal support and formal social contexts.
Meaning
This phrase is about showing genuine empathy or compassion when someone is going through a tough time. It’s the act of acknowledging their pain and letting them know you feel for them.
Key Examples
3 of 6Comforting a friend who lost their job
मुश्किल समय में दोस्तों को सहानुभूति दिखानी चाहिए।
Friends should show compassion during difficult times.
A formal news report about a disaster
सरकार ने पीड़ितों के प्रति सहानुभूति दिखाई है।
The government has shown compassion towards the victims.
Texting a friend about their bad day
मैं तुम्हारी स्थिति समझता हूँ और सहानुभूति दिखाता हूँ।
I understand your situation and I'm with you (showing empathy).
Cultural Background
The term is deeply rooted in the Sanskrit tradition of 'Karuna' (compassion). In modern India, it is frequently used in social justice contexts and literature to describe the bridge between different social classes. It reflects the high value placed on emotional intelligence and community support in South Asian society.
Gender Matters
Remember that `सहानुभूति` is feminine. So, if you are using it in the past tense, it's always `दिखाई`, never `दिखाया`.
Don't confuse with Pity
Avoid using `दया` (Daya) if you want to sound respectful. `दया` can sometimes feel like you are looking down on the person, while `सहानुभूति` feels like you are equals.
In 15 Seconds
- To show empathy or compassion toward someone in distress.
- Combines 'Saha' (with) and 'Anubhuti' (feeling) to mean 'feeling with'.
- Used in both personal support and formal social contexts.
What It Means
सहानुभूति दिखाना is all about that deep, human connection. It comes from the Sanskrit words 'Saha' (with) and 'Anubhuti' (feeling). So, you are literally 'feeling with' someone. It’s not just saying "I'm sorry." It is about showing you truly understand their struggle. Think of it as the Hindi word for empathy in action.
How To Use It
You treat this like any other verb phrase in Hindi. The word दिखाना (to show) changes based on the tense. If you did it yesterday, use दिखाई. If you are doing it now, use दिखा रहे हैं. You usually show it 'towards' someone using the marker के प्रति. For example: "उसने मेरे प्रति सहानुभूति दिखाई" (He showed compassion towards me).
When To Use It
Use this when life gets heavy. It’s perfect for a friend who just went through a breakup. It works when a colleague is stressed about a project. You’ll hear it in news reports about charity work. Use it when you want to sound thoughtful and emotionally mature. It’s a great way to describe someone’s kind character too.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for tiny, trivial things. If your friend drops a spoon, don't say you are showing सहानुभूति. That sounds way too dramatic! Also, avoid it if you are the one who caused the problem. If you step on someone's toe, say माफ़ कीजिए (sorry), not that you are showing compassion. That would just be weirdly arrogant.
Cultural Background
In Indian culture, showing सहानुभूति is seen as a noble trait. It’s linked to the concept of 'Dharma' or doing the right thing. While modern Hindi uses it for 'empathy,' older texts might use 'Daya' (pity). But सहानुभूति is better because it implies equality. You aren't looking down on the person; you are standing beside them.
Common Variations
You might hear सहानुभूति जताना (to express/manifest compassion). This is slightly more formal than दिखाना. There is also सहानुभूति होना (to have compassion). For example, "मुझे उसके लिए सहानुभूति है" (I have compassion for him). If you want to sound very poetic, you could use हमदर्दी (Hamdardi), which is the Urdu-origin equivalent.
Usage Notes
The phrase is grammatically feminine because of the noun 'सहानुभूति'. It is most commonly paired with the postposition 'के प्रति' to indicate the recipient of the compassion.
Gender Matters
Remember that `सहानुभूति` is feminine. So, if you are using it in the past tense, it's always `दिखाई`, never `दिखाया`.
Don't confuse with Pity
Avoid using `दया` (Daya) if you want to sound respectful. `दया` can sometimes feel like you are looking down on the person, while `सहानुभूति` feels like you are equals.
The 'Urdu' Alternative
In Bollywood songs or poetry, you'll often hear `हमदर्दी` (Hamdardi). It means the exact same thing but carries a more romantic or soulful vibe.
Examples
6मुश्किल समय में दोस्तों को सहानुभूति दिखानी चाहिए।
Friends should show compassion during difficult times.
A general statement about friendship and support.
सरकार ने पीड़ितों के प्रति सहानुभूति दिखाई है।
The government has shown compassion towards the victims.
Used here in a formal, administrative context.
मैं तुम्हारी स्थिति समझता हूँ और सहानुभूति दिखाता हूँ।
I understand your situation and I'm with you (showing empathy).
A bit formal for a text, but very sincere.
अरे वाह! अब क्या मैं तुम्हारे टूटे हुए नाखून के लिए सहानुभूति दिखाऊँ?
Oh wow! Should I show compassion for your broken nail now?
Using the phrase ironically for a minor issue.
उस अजनबी ने मेरी परेशानी देखकर सहानुभूति दिखाई।
That stranger showed compassion after seeing my trouble.
Describing an act of kindness from someone unknown.
नायक ने अपने दुश्मन के प्रति भी सहानुभूति दिखाई।
The hero showed compassion even towards his enemy.
Common in literary analysis or storytelling.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence.
कल राहुल ने मेरी समस्या के प्रति बहुत ___।
Since 'सहानुभूति' is a feminine noun, the verb 'दिखाना' becomes 'दिखाई' in the past tense.
Which postposition is usually used with this phrase?
हमें गरीबों ___ सहानुभूति दिखानी चाहिए।
'के प्रति' (towards) is the standard marker used when showing a feeling toward someone.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of Empathy
Using 'Hamdardi' or just being there.
साथ देना (Being with someone)
The standard way to express empathy.
सहानुभूति दिखाना
High-level Hindi used in speeches.
संवेदना प्रकट करना
When to use Sahānubhūti Dikhānā
Loss or Grief
At a funeral or after a death.
Failure
When a friend fails an exam.
Social Work
Helping those in need.
Health Issues
Visiting someone in the hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions
11 questionsIt means to show empathy or compassion. It involves understanding someone else's pain and expressing that you care, like saying मैं तुम्हारी तकलीफ समझ सकता हूँ (I can understand your pain).
It is neutral to slightly formal. You can use it with friends, but it's also perfectly fine in a business meeting or a newspaper article.
Yes! You can say हमें जानवरों के प्रति सहानुभूति दिखानी चाहिए (We should show compassion towards animals).
सहानुभूति is empathy (feeling with someone), while दया is pity or mercy (feeling sorry for someone). सहानुभूति is generally considered more respectful.
It conjugates like any regular verb. For example, दिखाता है (shows - masc.), दिखाती है (shows - fem.), or दिखाई (showed).
You can just say सहानुभूति रखना (to have empathy). For example, उसके लिए सहानुभूति रखो (Have empathy for him).
Yes, if someone is complaining about something very minor, you can sarcastically ask if you should show them सहानुभूति.
The opposite would be क्रूरता दिखाना (to show cruelty) or बेरुखी दिखाना (to show indifference).
Occasionally, but lyrics usually prefer the Urdu word हमदर्दी (Hamdardi) because it fits the meter of songs better.
A common mistake is using the wrong gender for the verb. Remember, it's सहानुभूति दिखाई, not दिखाया.
No, सहानुभूति is specifically for suffering or difficult times. For positive events, use बधाई देना (to give congratulations).
Related Phrases
हमदर्दी जताना
संवेदना प्रकट करना
दुख बाँटना
साथ देना
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