237 profound ways to talk about feelings and emotions in Spanish

Learning to talk about your feelings and emotions in Spanish is one of the easiest ways to take your Spanish to the next level.

While the first stages of learning Spanish focus on communicating the essentials–like saying hi, counting, and telling the time–talking about feelings and emotions is one of the clearest signs that you’re progressing into intermediate Spanish.

While beginner Spanish classes will teach you some simple phrases that deal with emotions, these will usually be just the bare essentials, like how to say happy in Spanish or how to communicate that you’re sad. These do not reflect the wide range of human emotions, so you won’t be able to have an honest conversation about your feelings until you dig a little deeper.

True mastery of the feelings and emotions in Spanish will allow you to:

• Make deeper connections by expressing your feelings more accurately.
• Set personal and professional boundaries by communicating how you really feel.
• Ask someone how they’re doing.
• Describe objects and situations in terms of how they make you feel.
• Explain your actions based on your feelings.
• Compliment or describe someone based on character traits.

And the list goes on and on and on! In short, knowing how to express emotions and feelings will unlock many new ways of expressing yourself and describing everything around you.

Are you excited to get started? ¡Vámonos!

How to talk about feelings and emotions in Spanish

Talking about feelings in Spanish can be just as difficult as in any other language, but you shouldn’t let the language barrier make things even harder! Our comprehensive guide will cover over 190 ways to express emotions and feelings so you’re as prepared as you can be.

Let’s start with the bare essentials: how do you actually say feelings and emotions in Spanish?

The difference between feelings and emotions is a subtle but important one. Emotions are much harder to express as they’re not something we can directly control or explain–they just happen. Feelings, on the other hand, are usually conscious and heavily influenced by our thoughts.

Regardless, we’re gonna cover both of them in this article, so do not fret. But before we get started, we need to talk about an important matter: the difference between the verb ser and the verb estar.

Difference between “ser” and “estar” in Spanish

One of the biggest differences between talking about emotions in English and Spanish is the verb “to be.” As you may have already learned in your Spanish classes, there are two different verbs to express “to be”: ser and estar.

Although they both translate into the same verb, they mean slightly different things. And this difference is extremely important to master in order to talk about feelings in Spanish.

For example, there’s a difference between being happy and being happy right now. When someone says “I am happy” in English, there’s no way to tell if the person is happy in general or just at that moment.

In Spanish, you can tell exactly what the person means based on which verb they use. The verb estar implies something temporary–something that is happening right now. The verb ser implies something immutable–something that won’t change. That’s why you would say “soy americano” when saying you’re American instead of “estoy americano”–your nationality is not bound to change anytime soon.

Here are some more examples to help you grasp the difference between ser and estar:

How to say happy in Spanish

Now that you know the important distinction between ser and estar, let’s get into all the different feelings and emotions! Let’s start with one of the most important ones: happiness. Although saying happy in Spanish is quite easy, there are many different ways to say it.

There are also different ways to wish someone a happy something, like saying happy birthday or happy new year in Spanish. We’ll include many of those here as well!

​​Synonyms for happy in Spanish

On top of the typical ways of saying happy in Spanish, there are a few synonyms and other ways to express that you are happy in Spanish. Here are some of the most common ones, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for the distinction between ser and estar!

Example sentences using “happy” in Spanish

Here are some example sentences for using happy in Spanish. Although there are many synonyms of happy, each one has its own nuances and they’re not all interchangeable. The best way to learn these subtle differences is by increasing your exposure to the language! Try to read in Spanish as much as you can, or watch Spanish-language TV shows and movies!

How to say peaceful in Spanish

Who doesn’t love being peaceful? Whether your idea of pure bliss involves a fun day in Cancún or a relaxing afternoon at a vineyard in Chile, we’ve got some great ways for you to say you’re peaceful in Spanish!

Synonyms for peaceful in Spanish

Beyond peaceful, there are many ways to convey the feeling of serenity and tranquility in Spanish. Here are a few of the most common words and phrases you will need when trying to convey that you–or even your pets–are peaceful.

​​Example sentences using “peaceful” in Spanish

Don’t forget the difference between the verbs ser and estar! In this case, the difference is akin to saying someone is a peaceful person and saying someone is at peace. Here are some example sentences using peaceful in Spanish.

How to say sad in Spanish

Unfortunately, sadness is one of the most common human emotions. There are many things that can make us sad, but perhaps experiencing sadness only helps us appreciate what true happiness is. In any case, you’re very likely going to need to know how to say sad in Spanish.

Synonyms for sad in Spanish

Just as sadness is one of the most common human emotions, it’s also one of the most complex. There’s a big difference between being downright depressed and simply being disappointed! Here are some of the most common synonyms for sad in Spanish.

Example sentences using “sad” in Spanish

You have to be extra careful with using the correct verb (ser or estar) here! If someone else is sad, you definitely want to use the verb estar. Otherwise, you’d be calling them a sad person! Here are some example sentences using sad in Spanish.

How to say angry in Spanish

Anger is a very normal human emotion, but it’s important to know how to manage it. Knowing how to say angry in Spanish will help you communicate your feelings, check in on your friends, and even point out things that upset you.

Synonyms for angry in Spanish

You’ve probably heard of the angry Latina stereotype. There is, unfortunately, some truth to this, as there is an almost embarrassingly large number of synonyms for angry in Spanish! In fact, some of the best Spanish slang is all about saying you’re angry!

Example sentences using “angry” in Spanish

There’s nothing wrong with getting angry, as long as you know how to manage it correctly. Keeping your feelings bottled up is not a sustainable way to live, so the best you can do when someone upsets you is to communicate it to them to reach an understanding. Here are some example sentences using angry in Spanish.

How to say relaxed in Spanish

Letting people know when you’re relaxed and calm can be pretty helpful. If you’ve just started introducing yourself to people and making new friends, letting someone know that you’re relaxed is a good way to earn their trust. Here are a few ways to say relaxed in Spanish.

Synonyms for relaxed in Spanish

As you probably expected, there are many synonyms for saying relaxed in Spanish. There are different levels to being relaxed: relaxed in terms of being stress-free, in terms of not caring about rules, or even in terms of being a free spirit. Here are some of the most common synonyms for relaxed in Spanish.

Example sentences using “relaxed” in Spanish

Learning the synonyms for relaxed in Spanish is not enough–you need to learn how to use them. Although enough practice and exposure to the language will help you naturally understand how to use them, here are three example sentences using “relaxed” in Spanish to get you started.

How to say afraid / scared in Spanish

We all have things we’re scared of. Ghosts, scary movies, the IRS, or maybe even family members like your mother-in-law. No matter what it is you’re afraid of, you need to be able to communicate it in Spanish. Here’s how to say afraid or scared in Spanish.

Synonyms for afraid / scared in Spanish

There are many different levels to being scared. It’s not the same to be a little uneasy around spiders than to be a full-blown arachnophobic. Check out the following synonyms for saying afraid / scared in Spanish.

Example sentences using “afraid” in Spanish

There are many, many ways to say afraid in Spanish. The best way to learn them all? Reading a spooky novel, of course! Why not take this as an opportunity to read Carlos Ruiz Safon’s La Sombra del Viento, one of the best-selling Spanish books of all time? This spooky page-turner is sure to have you hooked from the start (and perhaps a bit frightened, too!).

How to say surprised in Spanish

Surprise is one of the most wonderful human emotions. Getting surprised with flowers, a surprise birthday party, or even a surprise visit from a loved one can be one of the best feelings in the world. On the other hand, surprises can also be terrifyingly… surprising. Either way, here’s how to say surprised in Spanish.

Synonyms for surprised in Spanish

Spanish is famously a very expressive language. From explosive telenovelas to loud day-to-day interactions, it’s no surprise (*wink*) that there are many words for expressing surprise in Spanish.

Example sentences using “surprised” in Spanish

The best way to learn how to express surprise in Spanish is by watching telenovelas. Hands down. If you’ve never seen a Latin American soap opera, we definitely recommend that you pick up that habit as soon as possible. Not only are they wildly entertaining (and even escandalosas!), but they will do wonders for your Spanish level.

How say stressed in Spanish

These days, it seems that it’s easier to find someone who is stressed than someone who isn’t. Stress plays a big role in our daily lives, whether it comes from school, work, finances, or even relationships. No matter what, you’ll likely need to talk about stress in Spanish at some point.

Synonyms for stress in Spanish

One of the best ways to deal with stress is to talk about it. Sometimes, just getting something off our chest can help us feel a million times better. But, in order to do that, you need to know the right way to talk about your particular type of stress. Here are some of the most common synonyms for stress in Spanish.

Example sentences using “stressed” in Spanish

We certainly hope that you don’t get many chances to use “stressed” in Spanish, but you should be prepared for when you do. Here are some example sentences that will help you understand how to use the word stress in Spanish.

Expressing emotions in Spanish by text message

Texting is one of the most common means of communication, especially in Spain and Latin America. If you come from the US, you may or may not be familiar with WhatsApp already. If you’re not–you need to download it on your phone immediately. It’s what everybody uses to communicate through text messages all over Latin America and Spain!

Once you’re ready to start chatting with your Spanish-speaking friends, you’ll want to know how to text like a native. Besides using the text message slang we covered in our other blog, you should try using the following acronyms for expressing emotions in Spanish by text message. You’re sure to surprise your friends with your knowledge!

Other common words to describe emotions in Spanish

The whole gamut of human emotions is too complicated to be expressed with just a handful of words–or even over 200, which is what we’ve included in this post! Perhaps that’s where poetry and art come in, as they help us express that which language cannot.

Fortunately, the Spanish language can accurately express a wide range of emotions. Here are some other common words to describe emotions in Spanish.

How to ask someone how they’re feeling in Spanish

Life can be incredibly difficult for a number of reasons. Checking in on our friends and loved ones regularly is one of the best ways we can help keep each other safe and happy. If you’re wondering how to ask someone how they’re feeling in Spanish, either because something seems off or just as a check-in, take a look at the examples we’ve put together below!

Considerations when discussing moods in Spanish

Using the Spanish subjunctive to express emotions

Expressing emotions in Spanish may be slightly challenging for English speakers, as the subjunctive tense is very commonly used. English doesn’t have a unique subjunctive tense, which is why learning how to use this in Spanish will take a little bit of practice.

The Spanish subjunctive deals with things that may or may not happen. It is normally used to express desires, wishes, possibilities, and even emotions. So, anytime you want to express your wish for someone to feel a certain way, you’d use the subjunctive.

If you haven’t studied this verb tense yet, do not worry. This is more intermediate or even advanced Spanish level, so don’t worry about it too much yet. Here are some example sentences to help you start getting used to it.

Using poner with an emotion

In English, you make someone angry. You make them excited. You make them giddy. But in Spanish, you don’t make them–you put them.

In Spanish, most times you want to talk about something making you or someone else feel a certain type of way, you’ll want to use the verb poner instead of the verb make. In other words, you put someone in a certain mood. Here are some example sentences.

Using dar with an emotion

Similarly, someone or something can give you a particular mood or feeling. To use this construction, you simply have to use an indirect object pronoun plus the verb dar and a noun. Here are some examples.

We’re sad to see you go!

This is the end of the article, and though we’re sad to see you go, we hope you had a good time learning all about the emotions and feelings in Spanish! Though talking about feelings can get complicated, it’s always best to address the issues early so that they don’t grow into something bigger.

Plus, if you don’t have a way to address your emotions and feelings in Spanish, you’ll just keep bottling them up. Repressing your feelings is never a good idea, so you should use that as an excuse to start practicing!

We’re sad this (extensive) article is over, but you don’t have to let the happy times come to an end! Check out our Spanish blog for even more awesome (and free!) Spanish study resources!