How to express your feelings in French - from happy to sad and everything in between
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Expressing one’s feelings can be difficult, and even more so in another language. Mais ne vous inquiétez pas: we have you covered! From “happy” to “stressed” in French, you’ll be able to express your feelings in any situation.
And if you want to check on your francophone friends or say hello, here are a few useful phrases:
- Comment ça va ?
- Comment tu vas ?
- Ça va ?
- La forme ?
Got it? Then let’s dig into expressing emotions in French!
Learn to express your feelings in French with this free 10 page booklet.
How to talk about feelings and emotions in French
Knowing how to express your feelings in French can come in handy in a variety of situations:
- When somebody asks you how you are.
- When you want to express your enthusiasm when visiting a tourist attraction or trying French cuisine.
- When you feel blue or stressed and need a little pick-me-up.
- When you want to warn somebody about something scary, for example a movie.
- When you want to express your happiness to your other-half — and here is how to express your love.
Note: French people will easily express their dissatisfaction or stress, but they are not so skilled at expressing their enthusiasm. The BBC even wrote an article on it! And we also explain it in this article on compliments in French.
Also, while it’s customary to ask “Comment ça va“ when meeting someone, it doesn’t necessarily mean a thorough and honest answer is expected.
How to say happy in French
Learn how to pronounce “Heureux” — the most common translation for “happy” — in this video!
You’re now ready to scare French people with your enthusiasm!
Tip: Québécois are a lot more receptive. Take it from a very enthusiastic French who never felt understood until she went to North America!
By the way, a “party pooper” is a “rabat-joie”.
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| I’m happy | Je suis heureux/heureuse | ʒə sɥi (ø)ɾ(ø)ks/(ø)ɾøzə |
| You’re happy | Vous êtes heureux/heureuse OR Tu es heureux/heureuse | vuz‿ ɛtə (ø)ɾ(ø)ks/(ø)ɾøz OR tyɛ (ø)ɾ(ø)ks/(ø)ɾøzə |
| He’s happy | Il est heureux | ilɛ (ø)ɾø |
| She’s happy | Elle est heureuse | ɛlɛ (ø)ɾøzə |
| They’re happy | Ils/Elles sont heureux/heureuses | ils/ɛlə sõ (ø)ɾ(ø)ks/(ø)ɾøzə |
| We’re happy | Nous sommes heureux/heureuses | nu sɔmə (ø)ɾ(ø)ks/(ø)ɾøzə |
| Happy Birthday! | Joyeux anniversaire ! | ʒwajøx‿ anivɛɾsɛɾə ! |
| Happy Anniversary! | Bon anniversaire ! | bõn‿ anivɛɾsɛɾə ! |
| Happy New Year! | Bonne année ! | bɔn aneə ! |
| Happy Friday! | Bon vendredi ! | bõ vɑ̃dɾədi ! |
| Happy holidays! (Only for winter holidays, Christmas & New Year) | Joyeuses fêtes ! | ʒwajøzə fɛtə ! |
| Have a happy vacation! | Bonnes vacances | bɔnə vakɑ̃sə |
| I’m so happy for you! | Je suis très heureux/heureuse pour vous/toi ! | ʒə sɥi tɾe (ø)ɾ(ø)ks/(ø)ɾøzə puɾ vus/twa ! |
Synonyms for happy in French
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| I’m thrilled | Je suis ravi(e) | ʒə sɥi ɾavi(ɛ) |
| I’m overjoyed! | Je suis fou/folle de joie ! | ʒə sɥi fu/fɔlə də ʒwaə ! |
| What joy! | Quelle joie ! | kɛlə ʒwaə ! |
| He’s delighted | Il est enchanté | ilɛt‿ ɑ̃ʃɑ̃te |
| She’s over the moon | Elle est aux anges | ɛlɛt‿ ox‿ ɑ̃ʒə |
| He’s ecstatic | Il est en extase | ilɛt‿ɑ̃n‿ ɛkstazə |
| I’m very enthusiastic | Je suis très enthousiaste | ʒə sɥi tɾɛz‿ ɑ̃tuzjastə |
| That’s great news! | C'est une grande nouvelle ! | sɛt‿ ynə gɾɑ̃də nuvɛlə ! |
| That’s wonderful! | C'est merveilleux ! | sɛ mɛɾvɛjø ! |
| I’m pleased | Je suis content(e) | ʒə sɥi kõtɑ̃t(ɛ) |
Example sentences using “happy” in French.
- I’m so happy because I just got a promotion.
French translation: Je suis ravi(e), je viens d’obtenir une promotion. - Glad to hear that, I’m so happy for you!
French translation: Je suis ravi(e) de l’entendre, je suis trop content(e) pour toi ! - He is so content because his girlfriend is here.
French translation: Il est trop content que sa copine soit là.
How to say peaceful in French
Who doesn’t need some peace in these troubled times? Below are a few ways to say “peaceful” in French. Om….
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| I’m so peaceful | Je suis très calme | ʒə sɥi tɾe kalmə |
| You’re so peaceful | Vous êtes très calme OR Tu es très calme | vuz‿ ɛtə tɾe kalm OR tyɛ tɾe kalmə |
| He’s peaceful | Il est calme | ilɛ kalmə |
| It’s peaceful | C’est paisible | kɛ p(e)ziblə |
| They are at peace | Ils sont en paix | il sõt‿ɑ̃ pɛks |
| We are at peace | Nous sommes en paix | nu sɔməz‿ɑ̃ pɛks |
| Peace be with you! | Que la paix soit avec vous ! | kə la pɛks swat‿ avɛk vu ! |
| International Day of Peace | Journée internationale de la paix | ʒuɾne ɛ̃tɛɾnatjɔnalə də la pɛks |
Synonyms for peaceful in French
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| It’s so serene | C’est très serein | kɛ tɾe səɾɛ̃ |
| It’s so calm | C’est très calme | kɛ tɾe kalmə |
| What tranquility! | Quelle tranquillité ! | kɛlə tɾɑ̃kijite ! |
| It’s so quiet | C’est très silencieux | kɛ tɾe silɑ̃sjø |
Example sentences using “peaceful” in French.
- I’m peaceful, the sea always calms me down!
French translation: Je suis serein(e), la mer me calme toujours ! - He's been so peaceful since he started meditating.
French translation: Il est très calme depuis qu’il a commencé la méditation. - This scenery is so peaceful, I can only hear the birds!
French translation: Ce paysage est si serein, je n’entends que les oiseaux !
How to say sad in French
As mentioned above, French people are not the best at expressing positive emotions. However, the French language includes a variety of words to express sadness, like the infamous spleen described by poet Charles Baudelaire. Ah, la mélancolie !
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| I’m sad | Je suis triste. | ʒə sɥi tɾistə. |
| You’re sad | Vous êtes triste OR Tu es triste. | vuz‿ ɛtə tɾist ɔɾ tyɛ tɾistə. |
| She is sad | Elle est triste | ɛlɛ tɾistə |
| It’s sad | C'est triste. | sɛ tɾistə. |
| He’s sad | Il est triste. | ilɛ tɾistə. |
| We’re sad | Nous sommes tristes | nu sɔmə tɾistə |
| They’re sad | Ils/Elles sont tristes. | ils/ɛlə sõ tɾistə. |
Synonyms for sad in French
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| It’s so depressing | C’est déprimant | kɛ depɾimɑ̃ |
| He is unhappy | Il est malheureux | ilɛ mal(ø)ɾø |
| She is in low spirits | Elle n’a pas le moral | ɛlə na pa lə mɔɾal |
| She’s down | Elle est déprimée | ɛlɛ depɾimeə |
| It’s desperating | C’est désespérant | kɛ dezɛspeɾɑ̃ |
| It’s disheartening | C’est démoralisant | kɛ demɔɾalizɑ̃ |
Example sentences using “sad” in French.
- I’m so sad, my boyfriend just left me.
French translation: Je suis si triste, mon copain m’a quitté(e). - He is sad because he hasn’t seen his family for a while.
French translation: Il est triste car il n’a pas vu sa famille depuis longtemps. - That movie was so sad.
French translation: Ce film était déprimant.
How to say angry in French
Even the best of us get angry at times. If that happens to you, at least, say it in French!
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| I’m angry | Je suis en colère | ʒə sɥiz‿ɑ̃ kɔlɛɾə |
| You’re angry | Vous êtes en colère OR Tu es en colère | vuz‿ ɛtəz‿ɑ̃ kɔlɛɾ ɔɾ tyɛz‿ɑ̃ kɔlɛɾə |
| She is angry | Elle est en colère | ɛlɛt‿ɑ̃ kɔlɛɾə |
| He is angry | Il est en colère | ilɛt‿ɑ̃ kɔlɛɾə |
| We’re angry | Nous sommes en colère | nu sɔməz‿ɑ̃ kɔlɛɾə |
| They’re angry | Ils/Elles sont en colère | ils/ɛlə sõt‿ɑ̃ kɔlɛɾə |
Synonyms for angry in French
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| It’s infuriating | C’est exaspérant | kɛt‿ ɛgzaspeɾɑ̃ |
| I’m so mad | Je suis en rage | ʒə sɥiz‿ɑ̃ ɾaʒə |
| I’m furious | Je suis furieux/furieuse | ʒə sɥi fyɾjœks/fyɾjøzə |
Example sentences using “angry” in French.
- I’m so angry, this guy was really not nice!
French translation: Je suis furieux/furieuse, ce mec n’était vraiment pas sympa ! - He is angry because his bag was stolen.
French translation: Il est en colère car on lui a volé son sac. - That article made me angry.
French translation: Cet article m’a ennervé(e).
How to say relaxed in French
Take a deep breath… Time to learn how to say “relaxed” in French!
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| I’m relaxed | Je suis détendu(e) | ʒə sɥi detɑ̃dy(ɛ) |
| You are relaxed | Vous êtes détendu(e) OR Tu es détendu(e) | vuz‿ ɛtə detɑ̃dy(ɛ) ɔɾ tyɛ detɑ̃dy(ɛ) |
| He’s relaxed | Il est détendu | ilɛ detɑ̃dy |
| She’s relaxed | Elle est détendue | ɛlɛ detɑ̃dɥə |
| We’re relaxed | Nous sommes détendus | nu sɔmə detɑ̃dy |
| They’re relaxed | Ils/Elles sont détendus/détendues | ils/ɛlə sõ detɑ̃dys/detɑ̃dœ |
Synonyms for relaxed in French
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| It’s chill | C’est cool | kɛ koɔl |
| It’s casual | C’est décontracté | kɛ dekõtɾakte |
| It’s zen | C’est zen | kɛ zɛ̃ |
Example sentences using “relaxed” in French.
- I’m so relaxed, I just had the greatest massage!
French translation: Je suis super détendu(e), je viens d’avoir un massage génial ! - He is relaxed when he is on vacation.
French translation: Il est détendu quand il est en vacances. - That warm bath helped me relax.
French translation: Ce bain chaud m’a aidé(e) à me détendre.
How to say afraid / scared in French
In some situations, it might be very helpful to know how to express fear in French. After all, the French accent can be scary…
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| I’m afraid / scared | J'ai peur / je suis effrayé(e) | ʒe pœɾ / ʒə sɥiz‿ ɛfɾ(e)e(ɛ) |
| You are afraid / scared | Vous avez peur / vous êtes effrayé(e) OR Tu as peur / tu es effrayé(e) | vuz‿ ave pœɾ / vuz‿ ɛtəz‿ ɛfɾ(e)e(ɛ) OR ty a pœɾ / tyɛz‿ ɛfɾ(e)e(ɛ) |
| He’s afraid / scared | Il a peur / Il est effrayé | il a pœɾ / ilɛt‿ ɛfɾ(e)e |
| She’s afraid / scared | Elle a peur / elle est effrayée | ɛl a pœɾ / ɛlɛt‿ ɛfɾ(e)eə |
| We’re afraid / scared | Nous avons peur / Nous sommes effrayés/effrayées | nuz‿ avõ pœɾ / nu sɔməz‿ ɛfɾ(e)es/ɛfɾ(e)eə |
| They’re afraid / scared | Ils/Elles ont peur / sont effrayés/effrayées | ils/ɛləz‿ õ pœɾ / sõt‿ ɛfɾ(e)es/ɛfɾ(e)eə |
Synonyms for afraid / scared in French
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| It’s terrifying | C'est terrifiant | sɛ tɛrifjɑ̃ |
| It’s worrying | C'est inquiétant | sɛt‿ ɛ̃kjetɑ̃ |
| It’s concerning | C'est préocupant | sɛ pɾeɔkypɑ̃ |
| It’s frightening | C'est effrayant | sɛt‿ ɛfɾɛjɑ̃ |
| It’s freaking me out (Slang) | Ça fait flipper | sa fe flipe |
Example sentences using “afraid” in French.
- I’m so afraid, I think this house is haunted.
French translation: J’ai trop peur, je crois que cette maison est hantée. - He is scared because he might miss his flight.
French translation: Il a peur de rater son vol. - That scene was scary.
French translation: Cette scène faisait peur.
How to say surprised in French
Your francophone friends arranged a surprise party for your birthday — and were not very good at hiding it? Come on, act surprised!
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| I’m surprised | Je suis surpris(e) / étonné(e) | ʒə sɥi syɾpɾis(ɛ) / etɔne(ɛ) |
| You’re surprised | Vous êtes surpris(e) / étonné (e) OR Tu es surpris(e) / étonné(e) | vuz‿ ɛtə syɾpɾis(ɛ) / etɔne (ɛ) OR tyɛ syɾpɾis(ɛ) / etɔne(ɛ) |
| She’s surprised | Elle est surprise / étonnée | ɛlɛ syɾpɾizə / etɔneə |
| He’s surprised | Il est surpris / étonné | ilɛ syɾpɾi / etɔne |
| We’re surprised | Nous sommes surpris/surprises / étonnés/étonnées | nu sɔmə syɾpɾis/syɾpɾizə / etɔnes/etɔneə |
| They’re surprised | Ils/Elles sont surpris/surprises / étonnés/étonnées | ils/ɛlə sõ syɾpɾis/syɾpɾizə / etɔnes/etɔneə |
| Happy Surprise Birthday Party! | Joyeuse fête d'anniversaire surprise ! | ʒwajøzə fɛtə danivɛɾsɛɾə syɾpɾizə ! |
| You surprised me! | Tu m'as surpris(e) ! | ty ma syɾpɾis(ɛ) ! |
| What a surprise! | Quelle surprise ! | kɛlə syɾpɾizə ! |
Synonyms for surprised in French
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| What a shock! | Quel choc ! | kɛl ʃɔk ! |
| Are you joking! | C'est une blague ? / Tu plaisantes ? | sɛt‿ ynə blagə ? / ty plɛzɑ̃tə ? |
| Oh my goodness! | Oh mon Dieu ! | o mõ djø ! |
| Seriously? (casual) | Sérieux ? | seɾjø ? |
| No way! | Non ! | nõ ! |
| Are you messing with me? | Tu te moques de moi ? | ty tə mɔkə də mwa ? |
| Really? | Vraiment ? | vɾɛmə ? |
| I can’t believe it | Je n'arrive pas à y croire / Je n’en reviens pas | ʒə narivə paz‿ a i kɾwaɾə / ʒə nɑ̃ ɾəvjɛ̃ pa |
Example sentences using “surprised” in French.
- I’m surprised to hear about your engagement!
French translation: Je suis surpris(e) d’apprendre vos fiançailles ! - He is so surprised because he never thought he could learn French so fast.
French translation: Il est très étonné car il n’aurait jamais pensé apprendre le français si vite. - The news was surprising.
French translation: Cette nouvelle est étonnante.
How say stressed in French
Between work, social and family life, workouts, etc. “la vie n’est pas toujours un long fleuve tranquille.” (French expression meaning “Life is not always a breeze”).
So, after learning how to say “stressed” in French, be sure to revisit the “peaceful” and “relaxed” tables!
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| I’m stressed | Je suis stressé(e) | ʒə sɥi stɾɛse(ɛ) |
| You’re stressed | Vous êtes stressé(e) OR Tu es stressé(e) | vuz‿ ɛtə stɾɛse(ɛ) OR tyɛ stɾɛse(ɛ) |
| He’s stressed | Il est stressé | ilɛ stɾɛse |
| She’s stressed | Elle est stressée | ɛlɛ stɾɛseə |
| We’re stressed | Nous sommes stressés | nu sɔmə stɾɛse |
| They’re stressed | Ils sont stressés | il sõ stɾɛse |
| What stress! | Quel stress ! | kɛl stɾɛ ! |
| That was stressful! | C'était stressant ! | sete stɾɛsɑ̃ ! |
| It was a close shave! (Slang) | On a eu chaud ! | õn‿ ay ʃo ! |
Synonyms for stress in French
| English | French | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| I’m under a lot of pressure | Je suis sous pression | ʒə sɥi su pɾɛsjõ |
| My shoulders are tense | Mes épaules sont tendues | mez‿ epolə sõ tɑ̃dœ |
| I’m anxious | Je suis anxieux | ʒə sɥiz‿ ɑ̃gzjø |
| I’m tense | Je suis tendu(e) | ʒə sɥi tɑ̃dy(ɛ) |
Example sentences using “stressed” in French.
- I’m so stressed because of the exam tomorrow.
French translation: Je suis stressé(e) à cause de l’examen de demain. - He is stressed because he worked too much this week.
French translation: Il est stressé car il a trop travaillé cette semaine. - That meeting was stressful.
French translation: Cette réunion était stressante.
Free downloadable emotions booklet
Don't hold back your emotions any longer, it's not good for your health! Learn to express your feelings in French with this free 10 page booklet.
Expressing emotions in French by text message
- MDR (LOL)
- PTDR (ROLF)
- jam (I’m fed up)
- nrv (I’m angry)
- pde (Very emotional)
So, what are you feeling after reading this article? If you are super “heureux” to have learned some new vocab, you can continue learning on our French learning blog. And if you’re a bit “stressé(e)” with so many new words, this video is a fun way to remember them!
