compadecer

to pity

compadecer(kohm-pah-deh-sehr)

transitive verb

1. (to feel sad for)

a. to pity

Compadezco a tu esposa ya que tiene que aguantarte a ti.

I pity your wife since she has to put up with you.

b. to feel sorry for

Alfredo compadeció a la mujer sin hogar y le dio algo de dinero.

Alfredo felt sorry for the homeless woman and gave her some money.

c. to sympathize with

(United States)

Compadezco a cualquier persona que tenga que trabajar con Carmen.

I sympathize with anyone who has to work with Carmen.

d. to sympathise with

(United Kingdom)

Compadezco a estos jóvenes que no encuentran trabajo.

I sympathise with these young people who can't find work.

compadecerse

pronominal verb

2. (to feel sad; used con "de")

a. to pity

Es imposible no compadecerse de este pobre chico que lo ha perdido todo.

It's impossible not to pity this poor boy who's lost everything.

b. to feel sorry for

Mi padre tiende a compadecerse de sí mismo.

My dad has a tendency to feel sorry for himself.

c. to take pity on (by taking action)

Hay que compadecerse de estos refugiados y tratar de ayudarlos.

We need to take pity on these refugees and to try to help them.

3. (to correspond; used with "con")

a. to fit with

Esta descripción no se compadece con la realidad.

This description doesn't fit with reality.

b. to accord with

El comportamiento de Emilio no se compadece con las normas de esta institución.

Emilio's behavior doesn't accord with the norms of this institution.

c. to be in keeping with

Tus acciones no se compadecen con tus palabras.

Your actions aren't in keeping with your words.