Ever wished you could say exactly how you feel in French—without sounding too dramatic or too formal? In this lesson, you’ll get practical phrases, the right verbs, and cultural tips to talk about emotions naturally. We’ll practice as we go, so by the end you’ll feel confident using them in everyday conversations.

The basics: Je suis + adjective

The simplest way to express emotions is with “être” (to be) + an adjective.

Common emotion adjectives (masculine/feminine):

• content / contente = happy, pleased
• triste = sad
• stressé / stressée = stressed
• fâché / fâchée = angry
• nerveux / nerveuse = nervous
• surpris / surprise = surprised
• inquiet / inquiète = worried
• heureux / heureuse = happy (stronger/formal)

Use: Je suis + adjective.

• Je suis content(e).
• Elle est surprise.
• Nous sommes inquiets / inquiètes.

Lucie est parce qu’elle a réussi son examen.

Verbs to talk about how you feel

Beyond “être”, French often uses:

• se sentir + adjective = to feel (good/bad/stressed)
  • Je me sens bien. / Elle se sent stressée.
• ça (me/te/le…) rend + adjective = it makes (me/you/him…) + adjective
  • Cette musique me rend triste.

These are very common in daily speech when describing your current state or a reaction to something.

Je mal ce matin.

“Avoir” expressions for physical feelings

French often uses “avoir + noun” for sensations that English expresses with “to be”. These are very frequent in daily life:

• J’ai peur (I am afraid).
• J’ai faim / soif (I am hungry / thirsty).
• J’ai froid / chaud (I am cold / hot).
• J’ai sommeil (I am sleepy).

These describe physical states, but they are part of talking about how you feel.

Je suis peur. → J’ai peur. With sensations, French uses “avoir”, not “être”. Je suis froid. → J’ai froid. Use “avoir froid/chaud” for temperature.

Little cultural notes

• “Ça va ?” is the standard check-in. You can answer with simple emotion words: “Ça va, je suis un peu fatigué(e).” or “Bof, je suis stressé(e).”
• French speakers often soften strong emotions with “un peu” (a little) or “assez” (quite): “Je suis un peu inquiet.”
• “Je suis ravi(e)” sounds polite and enthusiastic, often in formal or positive contexts (meeting someone, an event). “Je suis content(e)” is more neutral and common.
• “Énervé” can mean irritated/annoyed (not only very angry). “Ça m’énerve” is common for mild frustration.

Put it all together: mini toolkit

Use these patterns to talk about emotions naturally:

• être + adjectif: Je suis content(e), Il est triste, Elles sont nerveuses.
• se sentir + adjectif: Je me sens mieux, Elle se sent stressée.
• ça (me/te/le/nous/vous/les) rend + adjectif: La pluie nous rend déprimés (A2+: “déprimé” = down/sad).
• avoir + nom: J’ai peur, J’ai froid, J’ai sommeil.

Try mixing them:

• “Je suis fatigué(e), et la musique me rend calme.”
• “Je me sens nerveux, j’ai un peu peur.”
• “Ça m’agace quand il y a du bruit.”

Quick review

• Adjectives agree (content/contente, nerveux/nerveuse, inquiet/inquiète).
• “Se sentir” is pronominal: je me sens, tu te sens...
• Use “avoir” for peur, froid, faim, soif, sommeil.
• Use “ça me rend + adjectif” to show effect.

Practice a few lines out loud: How do you feel today? How does music or weather affect you?

Final practice

Pick one emotion and one cause. Say 3 sentences:

1. Je suis + adjectif.
2. Je me sens + adjectif.
3. Ça me rend + adjectif.

Example:

• Je suis fatigué(e).
• Je me sens stressé(e).
• Le bruit me rend nerveux / nerveuse.

You’ve got this! With these patterns, your French emotions will sound clear, natural, and—when needed—beautifully understated.