Podcast Companion: Talking About Emotions in English
In this episode, we explore how to describe your emotions in more expressive and advanced ways in English. Instead of always saying “I’m happy” or “I’m sad”, you’ll learn rich emotional vocabulary to help you sound more fluent and natural in everyday conversation.
📚 Vocabulary List & Definitions
Overwhelmed – feeling like everything is too much.
“She felt overwhelmed by the amount of work she had.”
Ecstatic – extremely happy, even joyful.
“He was ecstatic when he found out he got the job.”
Frustrated – feeling annoyed or upset because something isn’t working.
“I felt frustrated when I couldn’t fix the computer.”
Anxious – worried or nervous about something.
“He’s anxious about the exam tomorrow.”
Content – quietly happy, peaceful.
“After dinner, she felt content and relaxed.”
Embarrassed – uncomfortable because of something awkward or silly.
“I was so embarrassed when I fell over in front of everyone.”
Resentful – feeling angry because you’ve been treated unfairly.
“He felt resentful about always doing the housework.”
Hopeful – feeling positive that something good will happen.
“She’s hopeful about the future.”
Grief – deep sadness, especially after a loss.
“He was in a state of grief after his dog died.”
Relieved – happy because something bad didn’t happen.
“I was so relieved when the test was over.”
🗣️ Useful Phrases for Expressing Emotion
- “I’m feeling a bit off today.” (unsure or low mood)
- “I’m not quite myself this week.”
- “I’ve been in a really good place lately.” (feeling emotionally strong or positive)
- “I’ve got a lot on my mind.” (feeling mentally/emotionally busy)
- “I’m emotionally drained.” (very tired from dealing with feelings)
- “I’m feeling on top of the world.” (very happy)
💬 Discussion Questions
- What emotion do you feel most often during the week?
- Can you remember a time you felt relieved or elated?
- Do you find it hard to talk about your emotions in English? Why or why not?
- Are there any feelings you don’t know how to express in English?
- How do your emotions change depending on the people you’re with or the time of day?