3 · 40 words

Feelings and attitudes

Satisfied, disappointed, nervous, proud: what we feel about people and events.

The person or thing a feeling is about usually comes before it, with 对(duì), not after it as in English: 我(wǒ)对(duì)结果(jiéguǒ)很(hěn)满意(mǎnyì), “I am pleased with the result”. Many of these words are adjectives, so they take 很(hěn) and no verb “to be”; to say what caused the feeling, Chinese often uses 让(ràng), “make”: 这(zhè)件(jiàn)事(shì)让(ràng)我(wǒ)很(hěn)失望(shīwàng).

The words

Verb (14)

放心(fàngxīn)to stop worrying; to feel reassuredVerb3

到(dào)了(le)给(gěi)我(wǒ)打(dǎ)个(ge)电话(diànhuà)，我(wǒ)才(cái)能(néng)放心(fàngxīn)。Give me a call when you arrive — only then can I stop worrying.

你(nǐ)放心(fàngxīn)吧(ba) is the usual “don't worry, leave it to me”.

后悔(hòuhuǐ)to regretVerb3

我(wǒ)很(hěn)后悔(hòuhuǐ)没(méi)早(zǎo)点儿(diǎnr)学(xué)中文(Zhōngwén)。I really regret not starting Chinese sooner.

羡慕(xiànmù)to envy; to wish one hadVerb3

我(wǒ)很(hěn)羡慕(xiànmù)你(nǐ)能(néng)去(qù)国外(guówài)工作(gōngzuò)。I really envy you being able to work abroad.

Friendly envy, often meant as a compliment; resentful jealousy is 嫉妒(jídù).

讨厌(tǎoyàn)to dislike; annoyingVerb3

我(wǒ)最(zuì)讨厌(tǎoyàn)下雨天(xiàyǔtiān)出门(chūmén)。What I hate most is going out on rainy days.

嫉妒(jídù)to be jealous of; jealousVerb3

别人(biérén)成功(chénggōng)的(de)时候(shíhou)，有(yǒu)的(de)人(rén)会(huì)嫉妒(jídù)。When others succeed, some people get jealous.

Resentful envy, unlike the friendly 羡慕(xiànmù).

吃醋(chīcù)to be jealous (in love)Verb3

她(tā)跟(gēn)别(bié)的(de)男生(nánshēng)说话(shuōhuà)，男朋友(nánpéngyou)就(jiù)吃醋(chīcù)了(le)。When she talked to another boy, her boyfriend got jealous.

Literally “eat vinegar”: jealousy between partners.

期待(qīdài)to look forward toVerb3

我(wǒ)很(hěn)期待(qīdài)下(xià)个(ge)月(yuè)的(de)旅行(lǚxíng)。I'm really looking forward to next month's trip.

怀疑(huáiyí)to suspect; to doubtVerb3

我(wǒ)怀疑(huáiyí)他(tā)没(méi)说(shuō)实话(shíhuà)。I suspect he isn't telling the truth.

Careful: it often means suspecting that something is so, not only doubting it.

尊重(zūnzhòng)to respectVerb3

我们(wǒmen)应该(yīnggāi)尊重(zūnzhòng)别人(biérén)的(de)选择(xuǎnzé)。We should respect other people's choices.

同情(tóngqíng)to sympathise with; sympathyVerb3

我(wǒ)很(hěn)同情(tóngqíng)那些(nàxiē)找不到(zhǎobudào)工作(gōngzuò)的(de)年轻人(niánqīngrén)。I feel for the young people who cannot find work.

发愁(fāchóu)to worry; to fretVerb3

他(tā)正在(zhèngzài)为(wèi)房租(fángzū)发愁(fāchóu)。He is worrying about the rent.

What worries you comes first, with 为(wèi).

佩服(pèifu)to admireVerb3

她(tā)一(yí)个(ge)人(rén)带(dài)三(sān)个(ge)孩子(háizi)，我(wǒ)真(zhēn)佩服(pèifu)她(tā)。She is bringing up three children on her own — I really admire her.

Admiring an ability or a quality; 羡慕(xiànmù) is wishing you had it too.

在乎(zàihu)to care about; to mindVerb3

我(wǒ)不(bú)在乎(zàihu)别人(biérén)怎么(zěnme)说(shuō)。I don't care what other people say.

Mostly in the negative or in questions.

热爱(rè'ài)to love deeply; to be devoted toVerb3

他(tā)非常(fēicháng)热爱(rè'ài)自己(zìjǐ)的(de)工作(gōngzuò)。He really loves his work.

For a job, a country or a pastime, not for a person.

This list belongs to People and feelings — eleven lists and 442 words that can also be practised as a whole.

Practise this list

Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 40 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.