Being happy, sad, angry and afraid, liking, hoping and believing.
Practise this list
From these 40 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.
More about this list
Chinese says how somebody feels with an adjective that needs no “to be”: 我很高兴, and 很 there often means little more than “is”. Several words come in pairs that English would not separate: 高兴is a mood of the moment幸福a happiness that lasts; 难过is sad伤心heartbroken And most opinions begin with 我觉得, “I feel that”.
The words
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Verb (20)
生气to be angryVerb2
别生气了，我不是故意的。Don’t be angry — I didn’t do it on purpose.
Angry with somebody: 生他的气.
害怕to be afraid ofVerb2
我妹妹害怕打针。My little sister is afraid of injections.
怕to fear, be afraid of; to be worried thatVerb2
你怕狗吗？Are you afraid of dogs?
Also “I’m worried that …”: 我怕来不及, I’m worried we won’t make it.
吓to frighten, scareVerb2
你吓了我一跳！You gave me a fright!
担心to worryVerb2
别担心，我一定按时回来。Don’t worry, I’ll definitely be back on time.
喜欢to likeVerb1
我喜欢下雨的时候在家看书。I like reading at home when it rains.
爱to loveVerb1
我爱你，妈妈。I love you, Mum.
Also “to love doing”: 他爱唱歌.
恨to hateVerb2
他恨自己那天没去。He hated himself for not going that day.
关心to care about, be concerned aboutVerb2
奶奶很关心我的身体。Grandma cares a lot about my health.
想念to miss (somebody)Verb2
在国外的时候，我很想念家人。When I was abroad, I missed my family a lot.
In speech often just 想: 我想你, I miss you.
想家to be homesickVerb2
刚来的时候，我常常想家。When I had just arrived, I was often homesick.
希望to hope; hopeVerb2
希望明天不下雨。I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.
觉得to feel; to thinkVerb2
我觉得这个电影很好看。I think this film is really good.
Used for opinions as much as for feelings.
感到to feelVerb2
第一天上班，我感到有点儿紧张。On my first day at work I felt a little nervous.
A little more written than 觉得.
相信to believe; to trustVerb2
我相信你能做好。I believe you can do it well.
哭to cryVerb2
孩子饿了就哭。When the baby is hungry, it cries.
微笑to smile; smileVerb2
照片上的她在微笑。In the photo she is smiling.
感谢to thank; thanksVerb2
非常感谢你的帮助。Thank you very much for your help.
More formal than 谢谢.
安慰to comfortVerb2
朋友难过的时候，要好好安慰他。When a friend is sad, you should comfort them properly.
心疼to feel for, ache for (a loved one)Verb2
孩子病了，妈妈很心疼。The child is ill, and her mother’s heart aches for her.
Noun (7)
感觉feeling; to feelNoun2
这是一种很奇怪的感觉。It’s a very strange feeling.
心情moodNoun2
今天天气好，大家心情都不错。The weather is lovely today, and everyone is in a good mood.
心里in one’s heart, inwardlyNoun2
他嘴上不说，心里很高兴。He doesn’t say so, but inside he’s very happy.
兴趣interestNoun2
我对中国菜很感兴趣。I’m very interested in Chinese food.
Interested in something: 对 … 感兴趣.
笑话joke; to laugh atNoun2
爸爸讲了一个笑话，大家都笑了。Dad told a joke and everybody laughed.
眼泪tearsNoun2
她高兴得流下了眼泪。She was so happy that tears ran down her face.
表情facial expression; emojiNoun2
看他的表情，就知道他不高兴。You can tell from his face that he isn’t happy.
Adjective (11)
高兴happy, gladAdjective1
妈妈收到花很高兴。Mum was very happy to get the flowers.
快乐happy, joyfulAdjective2
孩子们在公园里玩儿得很快乐。The children were having a happy time playing in the park.
Above all in wishes: 生日快乐; for a mood, 高兴 or 开心 is more usual.
开心happy, having funAdjective2
今天玩儿得真开心！We had a really great time today!
愉快pleasant, enjoyableAdjective2
祝你们旅行愉快！Have a pleasant trip!
幸福happy (deeply, lastingly); happinessAdjective2
他们一家人生活得很幸福。Their family lives a happy life.
Lasting happiness with one’s life, not a passing mood.
难过sad, upsetAdjective2
听到这个消息，我很难过。I was very sad to hear the news.
伤心heartbroken, deeply sadAdjective2
小狗丢了，女儿哭得很伤心。The puppy got lost, and my daughter cried her heart out.
烦annoyed; annoyingAdjective2
外面太吵了，真烦！It’s so noisy outside — it’s really annoying!
好笑funny, laughableAdjective2
这有什么好笑的？What’s so funny about that?
吃惊surprised, startledAdjective2
听说他要走，我很吃惊。I was surprised to hear that he’s leaving.
