From "Bueno" to "¡Increíble!": How to Express Your Emotions in Spanish
Learning Spanish is exciting, but let’s face it—it’s not just about ordering a coffee or asking for directions. True connection comes from sharing how you feel. That's why mastering how to express emotions in Spanish is a game-changer. Whether you're a complete beginner or an intermediate learner, this guide will give you the Spanish vocabulary for feelings you need to add warmth and depth to your conversations.
The Feeling Words You Need to Know
To start, let’s go over some core feeling words in Spanish. These are the adjectives you'll use most often. Remember that in Spanish, adjectives must agree in gender with the person they are describing. For example, a male would say Estoy contento, while a female would say Estoy contenta.
Happy: Contento/a, Feliz (doesn’t change for gender)
Sad: Triste (doesn’t change for gender), Apenado/a
Angry: Enojado/a, Molesto/a
Tired: Cansado/a
Scared: Asustado/a
Surprised: Sorprendido/a
Excited: Emocionado/a
Bored: Aburrido/a
The Grammar: Estar vs. Ser
This is a key part of Spanish grammar for expressing emotions. You’ve likely learned the difference between the verbs ser and estar. When you're talking about feelings, you almost always use estar. Estar describes a temporary state, so it’s perfect for describing how you feel in the moment.
I am happy: Estoy feliz.
He is sad: Él está triste.
We are excited: Estamos emocionados/as.
Beyond the Basics: Spanish Phrases and Idioms
Once you’ve got the single words down, you can start building more complex sentences with Spanish phrases for emotions. These phrases are perfect for Spanish conversation starters and will make you sound more like a native speaker.
I’m very happy: Estoy muy contento/a. or Estoy lleno/a de alegría.
I’m a little sad: Estoy un poco triste. or Me siento algo melancólico/a.
I’m so excited!: ¡Estoy tan emocionado/a!
How are you feeling?: ¿Cómo te sientes?
I feel great: Me siento de maravilla.
Expressing Stronger Feelings
Sometimes a simple word isn’t enough. Expressing anger in Spanish or deep sadness requires more nuance.
I'm fed up: Estoy harto/a. (used when you’re annoyed or frustrated)
That makes me angry: Eso me da rabia.
I am heartbroken: Tengo el corazón roto.
That's driving me crazy: ¡Eso me saca de quicio!
The Art of Nuance: Slang and Idioms
Want to sound even more natural? Dive into Spanish idioms about feelings. These are phrases that don't translate literally but perfectly capture a feeling.
To be down in the dumps: Estar de bajón.
To have a lump in your throat: Tener un nudo en la garganta.
To be over the moon: Estar en las nubes.
To be very angry: Estar hecho/a una fiera. (literally "to be made into a beast")
Mastering these words and phrases is a crucial step in your learn Spanish journey. It allows you to connect with people on a deeper level and truly participate in conversations. So go ahead, practice saying how you feel, and add that emotional punch to your Spanish!