What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
empathetic
Example
She was empathetic towards her friend who had lost a loved one. [empathetic: adjective]
Example
He showed empathy by listening and understanding her struggles. [empathy: noun]
understanding
Example
I have an understanding of the challenges she faces as a single mother. [understanding: noun]
Example
He was understanding when I had to cancel our plans due to unforeseen circumstances. [understanding: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Understanding is more commonly used than empathetic in everyday language. Understanding is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while empathetic is less common and is typically used in psychology and counseling contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between empathetic and understanding?
Both empathetic and understanding can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but empathetic may be perceived as more formal due to its association with psychology and counseling.
