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Yes, I know the same thing has been asked before, but there were no answers that fit the word I'm trying to find.

Anyway, what is a word for "knowing the feeling from X situation"? That would be something like "know that feel" in slang. I am not thinking of sympathy or empathy.

It is more like: let's say someone describes a situation like "and then I feel sad because of what is said", and I know myself from it or I know the feeling very well. Sorry if I'm not very good at explaining. Hope someone knows what I am talking about. If it is of any help, I would say "å føle seg truffen" in Norwegian.

I think I'll stick with something like "I recognize know that feeling" or "I can relate".

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    Can you explain what is wrong with "sympathy"? It means almost exactly what you have described.
    – Cameron
    Jun 25, 2012 at 22:13
  • Well, maybe I should correct it, because it is more like "knowing the feeling from X situation". Well, it is kind of hard to explain, as english isn't y primary language.
    – adrianpip2000
    Jun 25, 2012 at 22:49
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    I would use "I know that feeling," not "I recognize that feeling." Recognize implies that you can perceive it, without necessarily ever experiencing it first-hand. If someone is cursing on the golf course and throwing his clubs around, anyone can recognize that he's angry. But if I tell him, "I know that feeling," that would imply that I've been frustrated on the golf course, too. In such situations, know implies can relate to while recognize does not.
    – J.R.
    Jun 26, 2012 at 11:51
  • You're absolutely right.
    – adrianpip2000
    Jul 5, 2012 at 10:48

5 Answers 5

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Maybe it could be "likewise". It can be used in many cases, when someone expresses some feeling/opinion, and you want do say that you feel/think the same.

E.g.: A: It was a pleasure talking to you. B: Likewise. (it was a pleasure for me as well)

A: I feel sad for this. B: Likewise. (I feel sad too)

Etc.

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  • I don't think the OP is asking something like that. And those who up voted this answer too seem to have got the question wrong. OP might clarify.
    – Kris
    Dec 28, 2012 at 15:09
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In casual conversation, if someone related feelings to me which I had experienced before, was familiar with, and was made to feel by the description - I would be most likely to say something like I know what you mean, e.g.

Person A: ... and it made me feel completely ashamed.

Person B: I know what you mean.

When describing such situations rather than participating in them (I'm not sure which you are asking about), a simple and common option is to say that you feel for the other person.

For instance, if I said something like:

Casey was telling me all about her breakup; I really felt for her.

it would imply not only that I was sympathetic, but that, as you said, I knew her particular feelings well myself.

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  • Another alternative for "I know what you mean" might be "I can relate."
    – J.R.
    Jun 25, 2012 at 22:37
  • ^ Good point. I think "can relate" works well for the second scenario, actually (I could really relate to Casey's experience) but not so much for the first - as Person B, I would be reluctant to say "I can relate" for fear that Person A will think I am self-centeredly turning the conversation toward my own experiences, rather than being a good listener. Still, it's certainly something people do say in that context.
    – alcas
    Jun 25, 2012 at 22:40
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So simple.

I tell my friends, be it guys or girls, “I feel you, bro.”

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I would say something like commiserate, which means “to express sympathy or pity”.

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  • Try to include a useful definition, explanation, usage examples from a reliable source with citation. So that it doesn't appear like a personal opinion or a guess.
    – Kris
    Dec 28, 2012 at 15:07
  • I’m not sure that sharing someone’s misery always applies to sharing their feelings. They are more feelings than misery.
    – tchrist ♦
    Dec 28, 2012 at 15:53
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"That really resonated with me."

"I empathise with that."

"I can identify with you there."

Long story short, there doesn't appear to be a word in English (as far as I can see) for knowing the feeling from an arbitrary situation. You have to use little phrases instead, such as the ones above.

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