How to Express Your Feelings in English

Vocabulary

Annoyed Adjective əˈnɔɪd

slightly angry

He is annoyed because he has been waiting for ages.

Confused Adjective kənˈfjuːzd

unable to understand something clearly

I don't know why he's confused.

Content Adjective kənˈtɛnt

happy and satisfied

They were content with the day's results.

Upset Adjective Əpˈsɛt

sad or angry

What are you upset about?

Appear Verb əˈpiːr

to seem to be

She appeared to be happy with my gift, but I'm not sure if she really liked it.

get rid of Phrase get rɪd əv

to throw away something you no longer need
Article

How to Express Your Feelings in English

Talking about your feelings in another language can be hard. That’s why we’ve made a list of
expressions that you can use, whether you feel happy, sad, angry, annoyed, or confused.

1. (Not) a Happy Camper

A happy camper is someone who is content with their life. For example, a father or mother
might say, “My kids are happy campers when I give them what they want.”
The expression “not a happy camper” is also common. For example, “Ken was not a happy
camper when he lost the game” means that he was angry or upset.

2. Deep Down
When you talk about how someone feels “deep down,” you are describing how they actually
feel, not how they appear to feel.
For example, you might say, “Mary looks happy but deep down, she’s very sad.” Or, "John
doesn’t smile a lot, but deep down he’s really excited about his new job.”

3. Down in the Dumps

A dump is where people get rid of their garbage. It’s not a nice place. So, someone who is
“down in the dumps” is very sad.
For example, you might say, “Alex has been down in the dumps since he failed his exam.”

4. Drive Someone Crazy

To “drive someone crazy” means to annoy them. Some things that drive people crazy are loud
noises, computer problems, and traffic.
For example, you might hear a parent say, “Stop screaming! You’re driving me crazy!” to their
children.

5. Have Mixed Feelings

Having mixed feelings means that you are happy and unhappy at the same time.
For example, if someone says “I have mixed feelings about changing jobs,” this could mean they
are excited about their new job but sad to leave their coworkers.
Questions
1. What is a "happy camper"?
2. What does it mean to be "down in the dumps"?
3. What does it mean to have mixed feelings?

Discussion

1. Which of the expressions from the article did you find most interesting? Why?
2. Do you ever find it difficult to say how you're feeling in English? Please explain
your answer.
3. What drives you crazy? Why do these things annoy you?
4. When was the last time you had mixed feelings about something? Please
share your story.
5. What are some of your favorite English words and expressions?
6. Why did you decide to learn English?
7. What would you say are the most enjoyable things about learning another
language?
8. What advice would you give to someone who is having difficulty remembering
foreign words or phrases?
9. What languages would you like to be able to speak? Why?
10. Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same
things, but learning another way to think about things. - Flora Lewis. Do you
agree? Why? Why not?