{"id":93583,"date":"2023-11-28T17:20:45","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T22:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/feelings-emotions-in-german\/"},"modified":"2025-06-11T11:02:46","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T15:02:46","slug":"feelings-emotions-in-german","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/german\/feelings-emotions-in-german\/","title":{"rendered":"Emotions in German: 141 Words and Phrases"},"content":{"rendered":"

German can be a wonderfully expressive language.<\/p>\n

To help you fully express yourself, we’ve put together a list of useful words and phrases for talking about emotions in German. With this vocabulary, you can describe practically any emotional state you might find yourself in.<\/p>\n

Try to learn a few new words each day, and you’ll soon be an expert at communicating your feelings in a different language.\u00a0
\n[fluentu-toc]
\n<\/p>\n

How to Express Emotions in German<\/h2>\n

Before you peruse our vocabulary lists below, check out some basic phrases you can use to start expressing your feelings in German:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German<\/th>English<\/th>Example<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ich bin<\/i><\/b> + [adjective]<\/b> <\/td>I'm... <\/td>Ich bin froh.<\/i> (I'm glad.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich f\u00fchle mich<\/b><\/i> + [adjective]<\/b><\/td>I feel...<\/td>Ich f\u00fchle mich gl\u00fccklich.<\/i> ( I feel happy.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mir ist<\/i><\/b> + [noun]<\/b> <\/td>I'm\/I feel...<\/td>Mir ist langweilig.<\/i> (I'm bored.)
\n
\nMir ist schlecht.<\/i> (I feel sick.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mir geht es<\/b><\/i> + [adjective]<\/b><\/td>I 'm\/I feel...<\/td>Mir geht es nicht so gut.<\/i> (I'm not doing so well.)
\n
\nMir geht es besser.<\/i> (I'm feeling better.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich habe...<\/i><\/b> + [noun]<\/b><\/td>I have... \/I am<\/td>Ich habe Heimweh.<\/i> (I'm homesick. Literally: \"I have homesickness.\")
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

You can also add qualifiers to make a feeling or emotion more or less intense<\/strong>. These are adverbs<\/a> that typically go before the adjective (or noun) to indicate its degree:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
nicht<\/i> <\/td>not<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ein bisschen<\/i> <\/td>a little bit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ziemlich<\/i> <\/td>quite<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
eher <\/td>rather<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sehr<\/i>\u00a0<\/td>very<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
wirklich<\/i> <\/td>really<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
besonders<\/i> <\/td>especially\/particularly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
extrem<\/i> <\/td>extremely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
voll<\/i> <\/td>really\/very<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
wahnsinnig<\/i><\/td>insanely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
total<\/i><\/td>totally<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
komplett<\/i><\/td>completely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n

Ich bin heute sehr<\/strong> gl\u00fccklich.<\/em> (I’m very<\/strong> happy today.)<\/p>\n

Er ist ziemlich<\/strong> aufgeregt.<\/em> (He’s quite<\/strong> nervous.)<\/p>\n

Wir waren total<\/strong> \u00fcberrascht.<\/em> (We were totally<\/strong> surprised.)<\/p>\n

Adjectives to Describe Feelings in German<\/h2>\n

At some point, you’ve got to move beyond “Mir geht es gut, danke.”<\/em> (I’m fine, thanks.) There are so many other ways to describe how you’re feeling in German!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German <\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
gl\u00fccklich<\/i><\/td>happy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
froh<\/i><\/td>glad<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
fr\u00f6hlich<\/i><\/td>cheerful<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
zufrieden<\/i><\/td>satisfied<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
begeistert<\/i><\/td>excited<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
dankbar<\/i><\/td>thankful<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
erleichtert<\/i><\/td>relieved<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
hoffnungsvoll<\/i><\/td>hopeful<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
inspiriert<\/i><\/td>inspired<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
interessiert<\/i><\/td>interested<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
freudig<\/i><\/td>joyous<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
selig<\/i><\/td>blissful<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00fcbergl\u00fccklich<\/i><\/td>elated<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
traurig<\/i><\/td>sad<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
peinlich<\/i><\/td>embarrassed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00fcbel<\/i><\/td>ill\/sick\/bad<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
satt<\/i><\/td>full\/satiated<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
griesgr\u00e4mig<\/i><\/td>grumpy\/grouchy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
deprimiert<\/i><\/td>depressed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00e4ngstlich<\/i><\/td>anxious<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
furchtsam<\/i><\/td>fearful<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
beunruhigt<\/i><\/td>worried<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
genervt<\/i><\/td>annoyed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
b\u00f6se<\/i><\/td>angry<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
rasend<\/i><\/td>furious<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00fcberrascht<\/i><\/td>\u00fcberrascht<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
erstaunt<\/i><\/td>erstaunt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
fassungslos<\/i><\/td>stunned<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
schockiert<\/i><\/td>shocked<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
besessen<\/i><\/td>obsessed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
eifers\u00fcchtig<\/i><\/td>jealous<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Here are some examples:<\/p>\n

Ich bin sehr erleichtert<\/strong>, dass ich die Pr\u00fcfung bestanden habe.<\/em> (I am very relieved that I passed the exam.)<\/p>\n

Wir sind dankbar<\/strong> f\u00fcr die Unterst\u00fctzung unserer Freunde.<\/em> (We’re thankful for the support of our friends.)<\/p>\n

Die Musik sorgte f\u00fcr eine fr\u00f6hliche<\/strong> Stimmung.<\/em> (The music created a cheerful atmosphere.)<\/p>\n

Verbs to Talk About Feelings and Emotions<\/h2>\n

Before you start using these verbs, you may want to review how to conjugate German verbs<\/a> to make sure you’re using them correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
sich f\u00fchlen<\/i><\/td>to feel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
empfinden<\/i><\/td>to perceive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
erleben<\/i><\/td>to experience<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
lieben<\/i><\/td>to love<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
hassen<\/i><\/td>to hate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
m\u00f6gen<\/i><\/td>to like<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sich freuen \u00fcber<\/i><\/td>to be happy about<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
traurig sein<\/i><\/td>to be sad<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
w\u00fctend sein<\/i><\/td>to be angry<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sich \u00e4rgern<\/i><\/td>to be annoyed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00fcberrascht sein<\/i><\/td>to be surprised<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
erschrecken<\/i><\/td>to scare\/to be frightened <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
hoffen<\/i><\/td>to hope<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sich freuen auf<\/i><\/td>to look forward to<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sich f\u00fcrchten vor<\/i><\/td>to be afraid of<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
genie\u00dfen<\/i><\/td>to enjoy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
bedauern<\/i><\/td>to regret<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sich sch\u00e4men<\/i><\/td>to be ashamed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
staunen<\/i><\/td>to marvel\/to be amazed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
sich ekeln vor<\/i><\/td>to be disgusted by<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
l\u00e4cheln<\/i><\/td>to smile <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Stirn runzeln<\/i><\/td>to frown<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
weinen<\/i><\/td>to cry<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
schreien<\/i><\/td>to yell <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mitleid mit jemandem haben<\/i><\/td>to pity someone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
lachen<\/i><\/td>to laugh <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
jubeln<\/i><\/td>to cheer <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

See how these verbs are used in context:<\/p>\n

Ich freue mich auf<\/strong> das Wochenende.<\/em> (I’m looking forward to the weekend.)<\/p>\n

Sie genie\u00dfen<\/strong> die sch\u00f6ne Aussicht vom Balkon.<\/em> (They’re enjoying the beautiful view from the balcony.)<\/p>\n

Er \u00e4rgert sich<\/strong> \u00fcber den verpassten Zug.<\/em> (He’s annoyed about missing the train.)<\/p>\n

German Nouns for Feelings and Emotions<\/h2>\n

Verbs and adjectives are useful for talking about how we feel. But sometimes we need some nouns to talk about feelings and emotions in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
die Emotion<\/i><\/td>emotion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Laune<\/i><\/td>mood<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
das Gef\u00fchl<\/i><\/td>feeling<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Liebe<\/i><\/td>love<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Freude<\/i><\/td>joy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Hass<\/i><\/td>hate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Hoffnung<\/i><\/td>hope<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
das Mitgef\u00fchl<\/i><\/td>sympathy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der \u00c4rger<\/i><\/td>anger<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Trauer<\/i><\/td>sadness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Furcht<\/i><\/td>fear<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Stolz<\/i><\/td>pride<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Verwirrung<\/i><\/td>confusion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Hass<\/i><\/td>hatred<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
das Mitgef\u00fchl<\/i><\/td>compassion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Gelassenheit<\/i><\/td>calmness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Ekel<\/i><\/td>disgust<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Neugier<\/i><\/td>curiosity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Dankbarkeit<\/i><\/td>gratitude<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Schmerz<\/i><\/td>pain<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Zufriedenheit<\/i><\/td>contentment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Scham<\/i><\/td>shame<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Spannung<\/i><\/td>excitement<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
der Optimismus<\/i><\/td>optimism<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Einsamkeit<\/i><\/td>loneliness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Langeweile<\/i><\/td>boredom<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Begeisterung<\/i><\/td>enthusiasm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Sorge<\/i><\/td>worry\/concern<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Geduld<\/i><\/td>patience<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
das Elend<\/i><\/td>misery<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Erleichterung<\/i><\/td>relief<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Sehnsucht<\/i><\/td>longing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Verwirrung<\/i><\/td>confusion\/puzzlement<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Depression<\/i><\/td>depression<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Angst<\/i><\/td>anxiety<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
die Schuld<\/i><\/td>guilt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Check out these examples for a better idea of how to use these nouns:<\/p>\n

Ich habe die Freude<\/strong> an meiner Arbeit wiedergefunden. (I’ve found the joy in my work again.)<\/p>\n

Sie ist immer noch in Trauer <\/strong>\u00fcber den Verlust ihres Mannes. (She ist still in mourning over the loss of her husband.)<\/p>\n

Trotz der Verwirrung<\/strong>, sprach er mit Gelassenheit<\/strong>.<\/em> (He spoke calmly, despite the confusion.)<\/p>\n

Phrases to Express Your Feelings in German<\/h2>\n

Before you start talking about your feelings in German, you should review the different cases<\/a> and how to use them. For example, to say “I’m bored” you could use one of these two phrases:<\/p>\n

Mir ist langweilig.<\/em> (the dative case<\/a>)
\n<\/em>Ich habe Langeweile.<\/em> (the accusative case<\/a>)<\/p>\n

With the nominative construction describing a state of being, if you said “Ich bin langweilig,” <\/em>you’d actually be saying “I’m boring”!<\/p>\n

Here are some more examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German<\/th>English<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Mir ist \u00fcbel.<\/i><\/td>I'm ill.\/I feel sick.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nimm es mir nicht \u00fcbel.<\/i><\/td>Don't take it the wrong way.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mir ist peinlich.<\/i><\/td>I'm embarrassed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Das ist mir peinlich.<\/i><\/td>That's embarrassing.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich bin begeistert!<\/i><\/td>I'm thrilled!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich habe Sorgen.<\/i><\/td>I'm worried.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich bin geduldig.<\/i><\/td>I'm patient.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich habe Geduld.<\/i><\/td>I have patience.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich f\u00fchle mich elend.<\/i><\/td>I feel awful.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mir ist ganz elend.<\/i><\/td>I'm completely miserable.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich bin neugierig.<\/i><\/td>I'm curious.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich platze vor Neugier!<\/i><\/td>I'm bursting with curiosity!\/I'm dying to know!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sei nicht so neugierig.<\/i><\/td>Don't be so nosy.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich habe es satt.<\/i><\/td>I'm fed-up.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich bin erleichtert.<\/i><\/td>I'm relieved.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Das ist eine Erleichterung.<\/i><\/td>That's a relief.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich bin gut gelaunt.<\/i><\/td>I'm in a good mood.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich bin schlecht gelaunt.<\/i><\/td>I'm not in a good mood.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich bin launisch.<\/i><\/td>I'm moody.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich habe Sehnsucht nach Eis.<\/i><\/td>I'm craving ice cream.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich warte sehns\u00fcchtig drauf.<\/i><\/td>I'm longing for it.\/I'm eagerly waiting for it.\/I can't wait.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich bin verwirrt.<\/i><\/td>I'm confused.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich bin optimistisch.<\/i><\/td>I\u2019m optimistic.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich\u00a0f\u00fchle mich euphorisch.<\/i><\/td>I feel euphoric.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Du bist so\u00a0negativ.<\/i><\/td>You're so negative.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

German Idioms and Slang for Expressing Emotions<\/h2>\n

There are some great German idioms<\/a> you can use to express your emotions. For example, you can use “Du gehst mir tierisch auf den Keks”<\/strong><\/em> (You’re really annoying me) to express frustration with someone. It literally means “You’re really getting on my cookie”!<\/p>\n

Or how about “Du hast wohl den Arsch offen,”<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/em>or “You plainly have the butt open,” really meaning “You\u2019re out of your mind\/unreasonable.”<\/p>\n

Germans also use slang<\/a> to express their feelings:<\/p>\n