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Express Yourself: Italian Words for Emotions [Infographic]

February 13, 2023

Express Yourself: Italian Words for Emotions [Infographic]

Italians are an expressive bunch of people. Below, Italian teacher Liz T. teaches a lesson in how to express emotions using common Italian words and phrases…

The Italian language is one of the most emotionally expressive languages. In fact, Italians are not afraid to speak what’s on their mind, and certainly not afraid to show their emotions.

When it comes to emotions, the Italians have quite a few words and phrases to express them. From “mortificato” to “abbondanza,” this infographic showcases some of the most common Italian words and phrases used to describe emotions. Whether you’re traveling to Italy or just trying to learn a little more about the language, this is a great resource!

How Do You Express Emotions in Italian?

A few Italian words and phrases for emotions include:

  • Happy – felice
  • Excited – eccitato
  • In love – innamorato
  • Angry –  arrabbiato
  • Sad – triste
  • Worried – preoccupato

Want to learn more Italian words for emotions? Sign up for Italian lessons ASAP! You can find out more about what you’ll learn in Italian lessons by watching the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEs6v3EiKh4 

Unique Italian Words for Emotions: A List and an Infographic

Whether you’re traveling to Italy or simply taking Italian lessons, it’s a good idea to learn how to express your emotions in Italian. Below are some Italian words and phrases you can use to express yourself and sound like a true native.

italian words and phrases

How Do You Learn Italian Words and Phrases for Emotions?

There are many different ways that you can learn Italian words and phrases for emotions. One way is to find a list of common emotions that are used in everyday conversation and then memorize them. 

You can also try searching online for audio files or videos that show people using these words and phrases in context. Another helpful approach is to find a native speaker of Italian and practice having conversations with them about different emotions. 

This will not only help you to learn the proper way to say these words and phrases, but it will also give you a better understanding of how they are used in everyday life. 

No matter which method you choose, taking the time to learn Italian words and phrases for emotions will definitely be worth your while.

What Are the Prettiest Italian Words for Emotions?

Some more Italian words and phrases for emotions include: 

  • angry — arrabbiato
  • Are you happy with her? — Sei felice con lei?
  • depressed — depresso
  • disappointed — deluso
  • excited — emozionato
  • happy — felice
  • He has the blues today. — Oggi lui è malinconico.
  • I am afraid. — Ho paura.
  • I am in a good mood today. — Sono di buon umore oggi.
  • I am so unhappy. — Sono così infelice.
  • I have a strange feeling. — Ho una strana sensazione.
  • I like you. — Mi piaci.
  • I love you. — Ti amo.
  • It is exasperating. — C’è da disperarsi.
  • lonely — solo
  • nervous — nervoso
  • proud — orgoglioso
  • sad — triste
  • satisfied — soddisfatto
  • the emotion — l’emozione
  • the fear — la paura
  • the feeling — il sentimento
  • the hate — l’odio
  • the hope — la speranza
  • the hunger — la fame
  • the joy — la gioia
  • the love — l’amore
  • the mood — l’umore
  • the pain — il dolore
  • the pleasure — il piacere
  • the sensation — la sensazione
  • the surprise — la sorpresa
  • the sympathy — la compassione
  • the thirst — la sete
  • tired — stanco
  • to feel — sentirsi
  • to get bored — annoiarsi
  • to get over — passarci sopra
  • upset — indignato
  • Why are you sad? — Perché sei triste?
  • How to Express Feelings and Emotions in Italian

    Now that you’ve studied the various different emotions in Italian, it’s time to learn how to use these words in conversation. To express the phrase “I am…” use the Italian word “Sono…” See the examples below:

    • Sono triste. (I am sad.)
    • Sono arrabbiato. (I am angry.)
    • Sono stanco. (I am tired.)
    • Sono innamorato. (I am in love.)

    Remember, you must conjugate the emotion depending on who you are describing. Masculine words ending in “O” should be switched to a feminine ending “A” and visa versa. See the examples below:

    • Lei è sorpresa. (She is surprised.)
    • Lui è felice. (He is happy.)
    • Lei è arrabbiata. (She is angry.)
    • Lui è occupato. ( He is busy.)

    Other Tips for Learning Emotion Words in Italian

    In addition to the strategies mentioned above, there are a few other things you can do to learn emotion words in Italian. 

    One is to create a cheat sheet with key words and expressions. This can be useful for reference during conversations. Another helpful tool is a glossary of emotive terms. 

    This can be used to look up words when you encounter them in writing. 

    Finally, it may be helpful to find an Italian conversation partner or tutor. 

    This will give you the opportunity to practice using emotion words in a real-life setting. With a little effort, you’ll soon be able to express yourself like a native speaker.

    Learning Emotion in Italian

    To get more familiar with using these Italian words and phrases in conversation, work with your Italian tutor on some fun exercises.

    For example, practice these words using flashcards or play a classic game of charades in which the teacher acts out an emotion then asks the student to guess the Italian word.

    Whatever activity you choose, be sure to practice these Italian words and phrases so you will be able to better express yourself when chatting with a native Italian.

    LizTPost Author: Liz T.
    Liz T. teaches singing, acting, music and Italian lessons in Brooklyn, NY. She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M. in vocal performance and has a graduate certificate in arts administration from New York University. Learn more about Liz here!

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    Suzy S.