“Pity”和“compassion”这两个英语单词都表达了对他人不幸的感受，但它们之间存在着细微却重要的区别。简单来说，“pity”更多地是一种同情，但这种同情往往带着一种居高临下的感觉，甚至略带轻蔑；而“compassion”则是一种更深刻、更积极的同情，它包含着理解、关怀和想要帮助他人的意愿。 “Pity”关注的是不幸本身，而“compassion”则关注受苦的人。

让我们来看一些例句：

• Pity: I felt pity for the homeless man begging on the street. (我可怜那个在街上乞讨的无家可归的人。) This sentence suggests a feeling of sorrow, but it doesn't necessarily imply a desire to help. The speaker observes the man's misfortune but doesn't engage with it actively.

• Compassion: I felt compassion for the refugees who had lost everything in the war. (我对那些在战争中失去一切的难民感到同情。) This sentence conveys a deeper emotion. It suggests empathy, understanding, and a desire to alleviate their suffering. The speaker feels a connection with the refugees and wants to help them.

再来看一个对比更明显的例子：

• Pity: "What a pity you failed the exam!" (真可惜你考试不及格！) This expresses disappointment, but it lacks the warmth and empathy of compassion.

• Compassion: "I have compassion for you; studying for that exam must have been incredibly stressful." (我很同情你；为那场考试学习一定压力很大。) This shows understanding and a recognition of the difficulty the person faced.

总而言之，“pity”是一种较浅层的同情，而“compassion”则是一种更深刻、更积极的同理心和利他主义的表现。 准确地运用这两个词语，能够更精准地表达你的情感。

Happy learning!