2 · 40 words

Feelings

Being happy, sad, angry and afraid, liking, hoping and believing.

Chinese says how somebody feels with an adjective that needs no “to be”: 我(wǒ)很(hěn)高兴(gāoxìng), and 很(hěn) there often means little more than “is”. Several words come in pairs that English would not separate: 高兴(gāoxìng) is a mood of the moment, 幸福(xìngfú) a happiness that lasts; 难过(nánguò) is sad, 伤心(shāngxīn) heartbroken. And most opinions begin with 我(wǒ)觉得(juéde), “I feel that”.

The words

Verb (20)

生气(shēngqì)to be angryVerb2

别(bié)生气(shēngqì)了(le)，我(wǒ)不(bú)是(shì)故意(gùyì)的(de)。Don’t be angry — I didn’t do it on purpose.

Angry with somebody: 生(shēng)他(tā)的(de)气(qì).

害怕(hàipà)to be afraid ofVerb2

我(wǒ)妹妹(mèimei)害怕(hàipà)打针(dǎzhēn)。My little sister is afraid of injections.

怕(pà)to fear, be afraid of; to be worried thatVerb2

你(nǐ)怕(pà)狗(gǒu)吗(ma)？Are you afraid of dogs?

Also “I’m worried that …”: 我(wǒ)怕(pà)来不及(láibují), I’m worried we won’t make it.

吓(xià)to frighten, scareVerb2

你(nǐ)吓(xià)了(le)我(wǒ)一(yí)跳(tiào)！You gave me a fright!

担心(dānxīn)to worryVerb2

别(bié)担心(dānxīn)，我(wǒ)一定(yídìng)按时(ànshí)回来(huílai)。Don’t worry, I’ll definitely be back on time.

喜欢(xǐhuan)to likeVerb1

我(wǒ)喜欢(xǐhuan)下雨(xiàyǔ)的(de)时候(shíhou)在(zài)家(jiā)看(kàn)书(shū)。I like reading at home when it rains.

爱(ài)to loveVerb1

我(wǒ)爱(ài)你(nǐ)，妈妈(māma)。I love you, Mum.

Also “to love doing”: 他(tā)爱(ài)唱歌(chànggē).

恨(hèn)to hateVerb2

他(tā)恨(hèn)自己(zìjǐ)那天(nàtiān)没(méi)去(qù)。He hated himself for not going that day.

关心(guānxīn)to care about, be concerned aboutVerb2

奶奶(nǎinai)很(hěn)关心(guānxīn)我(wǒ)的(de)身体(shēntǐ)。Grandma cares a lot about my health.

想念(xiǎngniàn)to miss (somebody)Verb2

在(zài)国外(guówài)的(de)时候(shíhou)，我(wǒ)很(hěn)想念(xiǎngniàn)家人(jiārén)。When I was abroad, I missed my family a lot.

In speech often just 想(xiǎng): 我(wǒ)想(xiǎng)你(nǐ), I miss you.

想家(xiǎngjiā)to be homesickVerb2

刚(gāng)来(lái)的(de)时候(shíhou)，我(wǒ)常常(chángcháng)想家(xiǎngjiā)。When I had just arrived, I was often homesick.

希望(xīwàng)to hope; hopeVerb2

希望(xīwàng)明天(míngtiān)不(bú)下雨(xiàyǔ)。I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.

觉得(juéde)to feel; to thinkVerb2

我(wǒ)觉得(juéde)这个(zhège)电影(diànyǐng)很(hěn)好看(hǎokàn)。I think this film is really good.

Used for opinions as much as for feelings.

感到(gǎndào)to feelVerb2

第一(dìyī)天(tiān)上班(shàngbān)，我(wǒ)感到(gǎndào)有点儿(yǒudiǎnr)紧张(jǐnzhāng)。On my first day at work I felt a little nervous.

A little more written than 觉得(juéde).

相信(xiāngxìn)to believe; to trustVerb2

我(wǒ)相信(xiāngxìn)你(nǐ)能(néng)做好(zuòhǎo)。I believe you can do it well.

哭(kū)to cryVerb2

孩子(háizi)饿(è)了(le)就(jiù)哭(kū)。When the baby is hungry, it cries.

微笑(wēixiào)to smile; smileVerb2

照片(zhàopiàn)上(shàng)的(de)她(tā)在(zài)微笑(wēixiào)。In the photo she is smiling.

感谢(gǎnxiè)to thank; thanksVerb2

非常(fēicháng)感谢(gǎnxiè)你(nǐ)的(de)帮助(bāngzhù)。Thank you very much for your help.

More formal than 谢谢(xièxie).

安慰(ānwèi)to comfortVerb2

朋友(péngyou)难过(nánguò)的(de)时候(shíhou)，要(yào)好好(hǎohǎo)安慰(ānwèi)他(tā)。When a friend is sad, you should comfort them properly.

心疼(xīnténg)to feel for, ache for (a loved one)Verb2

孩子(háizi)病(bìng)了(le)，妈妈(māma)很(hěn)心疼(xīnténg)。The child is ill, and her mother’s heart aches for her.

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.