Spanish Vocabulary for Feelings and Emotions: Learn How to Express Yourself


Learning how to express feelings and emotions in Spanish is essential for meaningful conversations. Whether you’re traveling, studying, or communicating with Spanish-speaking friends, understanding these words will help you convey your thoughts and emotions accurately.

This guide covers the most common Spanish vocabulary for emotions, categorized by type, with examples and tips for proper usage.

1. Basic Spanish Words for Emotions

Positive Emotions

  • Feliz – Happy
    Estoy feliz por verte. (I’m happy to see you.)

  • Emocionado/a – Excited
    Estoy emocionado por el concierto. (I’m excited for the concert.)

  • Agradecido/a – Grateful
    Estoy agradecido por tu ayuda. (I’m grateful for your help.)

  • Orgulloso/a – Proud
    Estoy orgulloso de mi equipo. (I’m proud of my team.)

Negative Emotions

  • Triste – Sad
    Me siento triste hoy. (I feel sad today.)

  • Enojado/a – Angry
    Estoy enojado por lo que pasó. (I’m angry about what happened.)

  • Frustrado/a – Frustrated
    Me siento frustrado con el trabajo. (I feel frustrated with work.)

  • Ansioso/a – Anxious
    Estoy ansioso por la entrevista. (I’m anxious about the interview.)

2. Spanish Words for Complex Emotions

  • Nostálgico/a – Nostalgic
    Estoy nostálgico por mi infancia. (I’m nostalgic about my childhood.)

  • Sorprendido/a – Surprised
    Estoy sorprendido por la noticia. (I’m surprised by the news.)

  • Confundido/a – Confused
    Estoy confundido con las instrucciones. (I’m confused by the instructions.)

  • Celoso/a – Jealous
    Estoy celoso de su éxito. (I’m jealous of his success.)

3. Expressing Emotions in Spanish Phrases

Using phrases helps you sound more natural:

  • Me siento… (I feel…)
    Me siento feliz hoy. (I feel happy today.)

  • Estoy… (I am…)
    Estoy preocupado por el examen. (I’m worried about the exam.)

  • Tengo… (I have…)
    Tengo miedo de las alturas. (I’m afraid of heights.)

4. Tips for Learning Emotional Vocabulary

  1. Practice with real-life situations: Use words in daily conversations to remember them.

  2. Use flashcards: Pair Spanish words with English translations or images of emotions.

  3. Learn antonyms: Knowing opposite words helps reinforce meaning (e.g., feliz ↔ triste).

  4. Watch Spanish media: Observe how native speakers express feelings naturally.

5. Bonus: Idiomatic Expressions for Emotions

  • Estar en las nubes – To be daydreaming / distracted

  • Tener un corazón de oro – To be kind-hearted

  • Ponerse como una fiera – To get very angry

These expressions help you sound more fluent and culturally aware when discussing feelings.

Conclusion

Mastering Spanish vocabulary for feelings and emotions allows you to communicate more effectively and empathetically. Start with the basic words, practice with phrases, and gradually learn idiomatic expressions to enrich your conversations.

By consistently practicing, you’ll not only improve your vocabulary but also your confidence in expressing emotions in Spanish.