B2 – Upper Intermediate
We have all done it and we certainly are not proud of it but ‘schadenfreude’, according to some experts, is a normal emotion. Someone else’s misfortunes can bring you chuckles, laughter, and a strange feeling of satisfaction.
Let’s listen to the audio below and learn more about it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-190110
Discussion Questions:
- Share your thoughts on schadenfreude. Is it good or bad? Share your opinion.
- Have you ever experienced schadenfreude? Talk about that moment. Did you feel bad about it or did you feel it was justified that time?
- In which jobs or businesses do you think schadenfreude thrives on?
8 replies on “Schadenfreude – Pleasure from Others’ Misfortunes”
1.
This is a word from german that is used in english without translation. It is the feeling you get when somebody has bad luck.
2.
There is no traslation of this german word, but there are similar words related to it. For example, comeuppance is actually related to schadenfreude.
3.
No, it is not wrong, it is a feeling and all the feelings are valids. But not all things that are valids are good and these types of feelings don´t make you a better person.
4.
I had this feeling before when I thought that person deserved it. I´m not particularly proud of it and it is never justified
5.
If someone makes a mistake and you can take advantage of their mistake, this misfortune will probably give you schadenfreude.
You did a good job answering your lesson’s discussion questions.
See how you can revise this sentence to improve it. Remember to avoid using the same word in one sentence.
Until your next entry.
1. What is schadenfreude?
Schadenfreude is a loanword from German language that is English language is used without being changed. It’s means feel of happiness when someone has a bad experience, but We think that is an act of justice.
2. Where did it come from? Does it have its own English translation?
No, it has not translated in English. It’s a German word.
3. Is schadenfreude completely wrong?
No, I think that It’s natural by humans. Sometimes people do or say something that is wrong in front their acts. It’s justice, It’s “the karma”.
4. Have you ever experienced schadenfreude? Did you feel bad about it or did you feel it was justified at that moment?
Yes, of course. In the example of audio, if you are in the supermarket save the queue and someone bypass the queue and after that his card doesn’t work, maybe you smile. Or when I drive and someone do a dangerous action to pass before you and then his line goes slowly, I smile.
And I think it was justified because there no apparently reasons for that.
5. In which jobs or businesses do you think schadenfreude thrives on?
I think that in many jobs thrives schadenfreude because there are a lot of competitive jobs, there is a lot of competence and if you partner don’t progress maybe you progress and you move up at your company.
You never fail to impress us with your work. Keep up to good job!
How about you say: No, I think it’s human nature. instead of “No, I think that It’s natural by humans.”
Schandenfreude is a german term not translated into any other language which is used to define the feeling of joy that one person can experience before the misfortunate of another one. According to the article, this feeling is provoked on those people who deserve it because their behaviour has not been fair but it is actually the envy the main root. In other different studies, it has observed that there is a confrontation between simphathy feelings and joy ones.
I personally think that the human being has been envious ever since and this feeling is difficult for anyone, if not impossible, to hide or wipe out. I recognize that I have enjoyed seeing the misfortune of someone who I consider unfair or dishonest in the life.
This feeling will thrive on all aspects of the life, not only work or business. But the more a person is exposed to a public life much prone will be for him/her to suffer from schandenfreude.
Schadenfreude is one interesting feeling. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Take a look at some corrections for you:
In other different studies, it has observed that there is a confrontation between simphathy
feelingsand joyones.> In other studies, it was observed that there is a conflict between sympathy and joy.
But the more a person is exposed to a public life much prone
will be for him/herto suffer from schandenfreude.> But the more a person is exposed to a public life, the more prone he is to suffer from others feeling schadenfreude toward him.
Keep doing a good job!
1. What is schadenfreude?
Is a bad situation for the people who suffers it
2. Where did it come from? Does it have its own English translation?
Is a german word, and don´t have traduction to the other languaje, because is a special word.
3. Is schadenfreude completely wrong?
Is a nice word to describe a rare situation
4. Have you ever experienced schadenfreude? Did you feel bad about it or did you feel it was justified at that moment?
Yes, all the people has experienced ever this feeling.
Yes, because I think that i chek that this happines is bad to the other person
5. In which jobs or businesses do you think schadenfreude thrives on?
I don´t know.
It’s true, everyone has probably felt schadenfreude. As per your answers, remember to use “It” as subject for objects. Take a look at the following sentences:
It is a bad situation for
thepeople who suffersit.> It is a bad situation for people who suffer it.
It is a german word
,and it doesn´t have a translation totheother languages,because it is a special word.Just keep on practicing your writing.