how to say “empathy” in Hebrew
הִזְדַּהוּת רִגְשִׁית
This entry is for our students, Toshy and Lucas.
As yours likely does as well, my heart goes out to the people of Japan.
הזדהות
Identity in Hebrew is זֵהוּת (zeh-HOOT). The root is ז.ה.ה (z.h.h), the concept of identity or identical.
To identify with someone or something is לְהִזְדַּהוֹת (leh-heez-dah-HOHT). This is the reflexive הפתעל (heet-pah-EL) usage of the root.
רגשית
The root ר.ג.ש (r.g.sh) means feeling or emotion. Perhaps you know how to ask a woman, how are you feeling? – ?אֵיךְ אֲתְּ מַרְגִּישָׁה (eh-eekh aht mahr-ghee-SHAH)
הזדהות רגשית (heez-dah-HOOT reeg-SHEET) is emotional identification or empathy. People typically use אֶמְפַּתְיָה (em-PAHT-yah) as well.
