Nice or sympathetic?

Nice is an adjective meaning ‘pleasant’, ‘enjoyable’ or ‘satisfactory’:

Have a nice trip!

We had a really nice meal. Thank you.

When we use it to talk about someone, it means ‘kind’, ‘friendly’ or ‘polite’:

It was really nice of you to call me.

Tanya’s new boyfriend is so nice.

Sympathetic is an adjective used to describe a person who shows that they understand and care about someone’s suffering or problems, especially by what they say:

My colleagues were so sympathetic when I was ill.

As a teacher, you have to be sympathetic to the problems of your students.

We don’t use sympathetic to mean ‘nice’:

Our new teacher is really nice.

Not:Our new teacher is really sympathetic.

His small house was nice and warm.

Not: His small house was sympathetic and warm.

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