Empathy is not sympathy. Empathy is identifying with another person's situation and knowing how the other person feels. When you empathize with someone, you are putting yourself in their situation and you can almost feel what they are feeling. You are not feeling sorry for them. When you empathize with someone you are acknowledging their feelings. You act appropriately with their feelings in your mind. Empathy is something most people have to work on so it develops within you and you realize another person's feelings.