Emotions in Chinese
A compact list of common Chinese words for emotions and moods, useful for everyday conversation and personal descriptions. It includes positive, negative and neutral terms suitable for beginner to intermediate learners.
- 情感 qínggǎn — feeling; emotion
- 情绪 qíngxù — mood; state of mind; moodiness
- 心情 xīnqíng — mood; state of mind
- 感情 gǎnqíng — emotion; sentiment; affection; feelings (including interpersonal romantic feelings)
- 快乐 kuàilè — happy; joyful
- 高兴 gāoxìng — happy; glad; in a cheerful mood
- 开心 kāixīn — happy; in high spirits
- 幸福 xìngfú — happy; joyful; feeling fortunate
- 满足 mǎnzú — to satisfy; to meet (requirements, needs)
- 兴奋 xīngfèn — excited (emotionally); thrilled
- 感动 gǎndòng — to move someone; to touch (someone emotionally)
- 难过 nánguò — to feel sad; upset
- 伤心 shāngxīn — to grieve; to be broken-hearted; to feel deeply hurt
- 悲伤 bēishāng — sad; sorrowful
- 忧郁 yōuyù — sullen; depressed; melancholy; dejected
- 生气 shēngqì — to get angry; to be furious
- 愤怒 fènnù — angry; indignant; wrath
- 恼火 nǎohuǒ — annoyed; riled; vexed
- 不安 bùān — uneasy; anxious; unsettled; worried
- 紧张 jǐnzhāng — nervous; keyed up; tense; emotionally strained
- 焦虑 jiāolǜ — anxious; worried; apprehensive
- 害怕 hàipà — to be afraid; to be scared
- 恐惧 kǒngjù — fear; dread; (also used as a verb) to be frightened
- 惊讶 jīngyà — amazed; astonished
- 惊喜 jīngxǐ — pleasant surprise (something that pleasantly surprises someone)
- 惭愧 cánkuì — ashamed; embarrassed; to feel ashamed
- 羞愧 xiūkuì — ashamed; feeling ashamed or guilty
- 尴尬 gāngà — awkward; embarrassed
- 平静 píngjìng — tranquil; undisturbed; serene
- 放松 fàngsōng — to relax; to slacken; to loosen
- 冷静 lěngjìng — calm; cool-headed; dispassionate (describing a person's temperament or manner)
- 失望 shīwàng — disappointed
- 无聊 wúliáo — bored (feeling uninterested)
- 沮丧 jǔsàng — dispirited; dejected; dismayed
- 绝望 juéwàng — to despair; to give up all hope; desperation
- 忧愁 yōuchóu — to be worried; to feel anxious or sorrowful
- 安心 ānxīn — at ease; calm; free from worry
- 期待 qīdài — to look forward to; to await
- 希望 xīwàng — to hope; to wish
- 爱 ài — to love; to be fond of; to like
- 喜欢 xǐhuan — to like; to be fond of
- 喜爱 xǐài — to like; to be fond of; to love
- 关心 guānxīn — to be concerned about; to care about
- 同情 tóngqíng — to sympathize with (someone)
- 嫉妒 jídù — to be jealous of; to envy
- 羡慕 xiànmù — to envy; to admire
- 怀念 huáiniàn — to cherish the memory of; to think of; to reminisce
- 怀旧 huáijiù — to feel nostalgic; nostalgia
- 依赖 yīlài — to depend on; to rely on
- 信任 xìnrèn — to trust; to have confidence in
- 怀疑 huáiyí — to doubt; to be skeptical of; to suspect (that)
- 冲动 chōngdòng — to act on an urge; to be impetuous
- 冷漠 lěngmò — cold and detached towards someone; indifferent; showing lack of concern
- 迷茫 mímáng — perplexed; bewildered; feeling lost or uncertain
- 内疚 nèijiù — guilty; to feel guilty; guilty conscience
- 自豪 zìháo — proud (of one's achievements, actions, possessions, etc.)
- 乐观 lèguān — optimistic; hopeful
- 悲观 bēiguān — pessimistic; having a negative outlook