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Schadenfreude

malicious joy at another's misfortune

noun SHAH-den-froy-de Less Common
Mind & Emotions Emotions

Also means

gloating

Usage Note

Schadenfreude is the pleasure taken in someone else's misfortune, from Schaden (harm) plus Freude (joy); the term is borrowed into English. A proverb runs Schadenfreude ist die schönste Freude.

Examples

"Mit unverhohlener Schadenfreude verfolgte er ihren Misserfolg."

Natural Translation

With undisguised gloating he followed her failure.

Literal Translation

With undisguised harm-joy followed he her failure.

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