How does a doctor phrase expressions of empathy in Spanish? Similar to "I'm sorry to hear that..."?

Question

As a family medicine doctor, I want to refine how I express empathy with the different types of suffering that people experience. My voice and body language show the empathy I feel, but I don't feel I am verbally expressing it well enough.If you were to tell your primary care doctor of your suffering or difficulties, how would you expect/want them to respond? In our southern California clinic, the majority of our Spanish-speaking patients are from Mexico, a number are from El Salvador, and the rest from all over Latin America. Issues I run into:- "perdon" has no role unless I made a mistake- "lo siento" seems to carry the feeling that I am at least partly at fault- "lamento que" is definitely appropriate sometimes but often too strong- "que pena" or "que lastima" I don't feel like I have mastered using these wellIn English, I express myself well, but don't feel I have a good grasp for the Spanish equivalents of things like:- "I'm sorry" (that you've had to endure that, for your loss, etc)- "I'm sorry to hear that"- "That has to be very difficult"- "That is quite a burden you've had to carry."Example situations:- Mild pain/suffering or just molestias- Severe pain/suffering- Accidents or injuries- Death or other loss of a loved one- Their having caused harm to another person (e.g. guilt for accidentally injuring one's child etc)- Discussing end of life care, delivering news of terminal illnessI appreciate any and all help in this! :)Also, I plan to compile this into something I can share with my colleagues as well, who are different stages of learning Spanish; even when using an interpreter, it helps people connect to be able to express empathy without an interpreter.

Answer 1

En México se conoce como

" dar el pésame"

No hay palabras que consuelen a las personas que han perdido. Incluso, personas que creen en Dios, han perdido la fe cuando se enfrentan a esta situación.

Lo que la gente dice no es siempre genuino.

Por ejemplo: " Lo siento mucho"

Nadie puede sentir dolor por alguien que no es de su familia.

Si nos presentamos al funeral y abrazamos a la persona dolida, o si hacemos algo que necesite; como transportarla o darle algo de comer. Eso muestra que tenemos interés sincero de ayudarla en el aguante de su dolor. Si quiere llorar, que llore. El llanto ayuda a echar fuera el sufrimiento.

Nuestro rostro y acciones transmiten consuelo también.

Yo he dicho:

Te entiendo porque ya sentí el dolor de perder a mis padres. ¿Quieres hablar de eso?

Si dice no. Yo respeto. Si dice sí, dejo que hable. Yo solo escucho.

Answer 2

Hello, thank you for sharing this experience. I have 11 years of tutoring and interpreting experience and I am currently a Spanish tutor as well as an interpreter in healthcare and social work settings.

You can express:

"I'm sorry" (that you've had to endure that, for your loss, etc)-" as

AS:

Lo siento mucho que haya pasando por eso. =I am sorry that you've had to endure that.

Lo siento mucho por su pérdida. = I am sorry for your loss.

"I'm sorry to hear that"

AS:

Lamento mucho oír eso.

"That [situation] has to be very difficult [for you and your family]"

AS:

Esa situación debe ser muy difícil para usted y su familia.

"That is quite a burden you've had to carry."

AS:

Es una situación muy difícil que ha tenido que vivir.

Es una carga muy pesada para usted.

In this case, you are showing empathy and these words get that message across.

BONUS: If you want to show encouragement, you can say "mucho ánimo" or "le deseo lo mejor"