Make Your Point > Archived Issues > SCHADENFREUDE

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explore the archives: New subscribers: please know that although yesterday's and today's words are both foreign borrowings, I promise this is still an email series about English vocabulary.  In fact, sometimes we look at words with pure American origins, like ha______bble ("requiring a difficult, constant struggle") and w___-p___er ("a person who secretly controls situations and other people"). make your point with... "SCHADENFREUDE" German for "harm joy," Schadenfreude is the happiness you feel because of someone else's trouble, bad luck, pain, etc. (I'm not saying this is okay! I'm just sharing the word.) Pronunciation: SHOD un froy duh Part of speech: Uncountable noun. (Like "milk," "rice," and "education," uncountable nouns are words for stuff that can’t be broken into exact units. You talk about "some milk," "the rice," and "a lot of education," but you don’t say "a milk," "three rices," or "many educations." Likewise, talk about "some Schadenfreude," "such Schadenfreude," "a touch of Schadenfreude," "no Schadenfreude," and so on, but don’t say "Schadenfreudes.") Other forms: none How to use it: This word is so common in English that you don't have to italicize it as a foreign term. But most people do capitalize it, like you do with all nouns in German. Write about Schadenfreude, not schadenfreude. To be clear, Schadenfreude is not the same as sadism. The sadist actually causes people pain and then enjoys it. (That's really messed up.) The person experiencing Schadenfreude isn't causing another person's troubles, failures, or pain--he's a bystander getting enjoyment or a laugh from it. (That's messed up, too, but not sadistic.) Talk about people who have, feel, experience, show, reveal, indulge in, or revel in Schadenfreude, or talk about situations that allow, inspire, encourage, or prompt Schadenfreude. You might say or do something with Schadenfreude (or without Schadenfreude), or talk about the Schadenfreude of people (or the Schadenfreude of laughter).  Because this emotion ranges from petty at best to heartless at worst, we often soften Schadenfreude with certain phrases: "a touch of Schadenfreude," "a smidgen of Schadenfreude," "a certain amount of Schadenfreude," etc.: "The blooper reel gives us a little twinge of Schadenfreude." examples: There's no "I told you so," no Schadenfreude, when my daughter hurts herself because she didn't listen to me. My heart just hurts with her every bonk and scrape. Although his college admissions essay was lively and entertaining, I'm a little concerned that the only emotion it expresses is Schadenfreude. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "Schadenfreude" means when you can explain it without saying "happiness from others' misfortunes" or "malicious glee." try it out: Think of a time your competitor messed up or failed. (If you don't have competitors, think of someone you're rooting against in a sport or other competition.) Fill in the blanks: "The opportunity for Schadenfreude arose when _____. Did I seize it? (Yes./No./A little./I'm not telling.)" Example: "The opportunity for Schadenfreude arose when the most conceited chef got chopped in the first round. Did I seize it? A little." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing "You Know, That Thing!" This game challenges your powers of recall. Start a timer: twenty seconds if you're an adult, longer if you're a kid or an English language learner. Read the description of each thing, and come up with its name. Try to name all three before your timer runs out. (Scroll all the way down for the answers.) Ready? Go! 1. A machine that resurfaces an ice rink is a ... 2. A small hole that helps you drill a larger hole or put in a screw is a... 3. The map at the mall that shows where all the stores are is the... review today's word: 1. One opposite of SCHADENFREUDE is A. SYMPATHY B. RETRACTION C. ISOLATION 2. I suspect it's just curiosity, or maybe boredom, rather than Schadenfreude that makes them _____. A. ask such odd questions B. fixate on such horrible gossip C. search for quaint screenshots of websites from the late 1990's Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. A 2. B Answers to game questions: 1. Zamboni or ice resurfacer 2. pilot hole 3. directory or store directory