What is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others called?

The ability to understand and share the feelings of others is called empathy. Empathy involves not only recognizing the emotions someone else is experiencing but also connecting with those feelings on a personal level, allowing one to provide genuine support and understanding. It goes beyond merely feeling sorry for someone (which would be sympathy) or taking action to help (which could be compassion); it is fundamentally about feeling alongside another person and grasping their emotional experience. This capacity fosters deeper interpersonal connections and is a crucial component of effective communication and emotional intelligence.