Dear Neologist,
My friend just had a great success, and I'm so happy for them! It made me realize that I am in need of the antonym for Schadenfreude. I cannot find one anywhere. The English equivalents—I'm happy for you, etc.—seem lame and dry. Is there a pre-existing German compound noun for such a thing?
Supportive in Secaucus
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Dear Supportive,
Isn't it surprising—and then also not at all surprising—that this most famous of German compound nouns would not have an antonym? Perhaps now—in these dark times, when the milk of human kindness has slowed to a trickle—is the perfect moment to correct this glaring Sprachversäumniß (omission of language).
Henceforth, when you are witnessing the success of others with true joy and generosity of spirit, you are experiencing:
Freundesfreudenfreude
f, froyn'-das-froy'-den-froy'-duh
(joy at the joy of a friend)
May we all feel it often and to its fullest potential!
Mit herzlichen Grüßen,
The Neologist
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