Definition

Verb: * To feel pity for; to pity: To feel sorrow and compassion for someone's misfortune or suffering. This feeling often implies a sense of sadness and a desire for the other person's situation to be better, but it can sometimes carry a nuance of looking down from a perceived position of superiority or better fortune.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Tôi thương hại những đứa trẻ mồ côi. (I feel pity for the orphaned children.)
  • Cô ấy không muốn nhận sự thương hại của bất kỳ ai. (She does not want to receive anyone's pity.)
  • Đừng thương hại tôi. Tôi có thể tự lo cho bản thân. (Don't pity me. I can take care of myself.)

Advanced Usage

• "Lòng thương hại" (noun phrase): Compassion, pity, commiseration. This noun form refers to the feeling itself.
  • Anh ta giúp đỡ cô ấy chỉ vì lòng thương hại. (He helped her only out of pity.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thương (verb): To love, to feel affection for; to feel sorry for. This is a broader term. "Thương hại" is a more specific compound focusing on pity.
• Thương xót (verb): To commiserate, to feel compassion. Very close in meaning to "thương hại," but can sometimes sound slightly less condescending and more genuinely sympathetic.
• Thương cảm (verb): To sympathize, to feel sympathy. Often implies a deeper emotional connection and understanding of the other's plight.

Synonyms

• Động lòng thương: To be moved to compassion.
• Xót thương: To feel pity/compassion (emphasizes the feeling of pain on behalf of the other).

Notes on Meaning and Connotation

While "thương hại" directly translates to "to pity," it is important to understand its nuance. The act of "thương hại" someone can sometimes be perceived negatively by the recipient, as it may highlight their vulnerable or inferior position. In many contexts, "thương xót" or "thương cảm" might be preferred as they carry a stronger sense of shared humanity and respect.

verb

1. to feel pity for