How to Talk about Feelings in French – French Feelings Vocabulary

Do you go by a day without saying how you feel? Whether it’s positive or negative… I doubt it. When learning French, you will want to express your feelings and emotions. In this post you will find a comprehensive list of French vocabulary words for feelings and emotions.

How to ask someone how they feel in French? 

 

Comment tu te sens? 
How do you feel? (informal)

 

Comment vous vous sentez? 
How do you feel? (formal)

Ça va?
Are you good?

Comment ça va?
How are you doing?

Talking about feelings in French

Je suis…
I am…

Je me sens…
I feel…

Je vais…
Lit: I go, used like “I’m doing..:”

Note that most feeling-related vocabulary is formed of adjectives. So they can be used with the French verb être. However we have some exceptions that use avoir. 

 

 

 

French expressions with the verb avoir

 

Émotion/Feeling	Adjectives in French	English Translation
Anger	En colère, Faché, Irrité	Angry
Happiness	Content, Heureux, Joyeux, Satisfait	Content, Happy, Joyful, Satisfied
Sadness	Triste, Déprimé, Déçu, Désespéré	Sad, Depressed, Disappointed, Desperate
Fear	Avoir peur, Effrayé, Inquiet, Anxieux, Pétrifié	Afraid, Scared, Worried, Anxious, Petrified
Disgust	Dégoûté	Disgusted
Surprise	Surpris, Choqué	Surprised, Shocked
Hurt	Blessé	Hurt
Loneliness	Seul	Lonely
Peacefulness	Paisible, Serein	Peaceful, Serene
Courage	Courageux	Courageous
Pride	Fier	Proud
Curiosity	Curieux	Curious
Relief	Soulagé	Relieved
Confusion	Confus	Confused
Embarrassment	Gêné, Embarrassé	Embarrassed
Impatience	Impatient	Impatient
Fatigue	Fatigué, Épuisé, Saturé	Tired, Exhausted, Saturated
Jealousy	Jaloux	Jealous
Temperature	Froid, Chaud	Cold, Hot

Some example sentences

Je me sens fatigué aujourd'hui, j'ai trop travaillé.
I feel tried today, I've worked too much.

Tu es soulagé après avoir reçu ces nouvelles?
Are you relieved after hearing this news?

Elle est blessée, tu devrais t'excuser.
She's hurt, you should apologise.