Expressing our emotions is an essential part of human interaction. Whether we’re overjoyed or feeling down, finding the right words to convey our happiness or sadness is important.
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Expressing happiness or sadness in English
Here are some common ways to express feelings of happiness and sadness in English, along with simple phrases to offer support in difficult times.
Saying how happy you are
You can be…
- (absolutely) delighted
- thrilled to bits
- over the moon
- really pleased
- so happy
- She was delighted to receive a handwritten letter from her grandmother.
- The fans were thrilled to bits to see their favorite band perform live.
- The couple was over the moon with the news that they were expecting a baby.
Or you can say…
- I couldn’t be happier.
- That is fantastic / wonderful / great / marvellous!
When you hear good news you can say:
- What great / wonderful / fantastic news!
- We’ve been waiting so long for this (moment).
- Thank God! / Thank God for that!
(British English speakers tend not to be particularly religious)
Pronunciation tip
Stress the adverbs and adjectives for greater emphasis:
I’m so happy.
What fantastic news!
Saying how sad you are
Here are some ways you can talk about unhappiness.
You can be…
- really sad about (something)
- really sad (to hear…)
- upset / unhappy about (something)
- a little down
- down in the dumps
- a bit depressed
- miserable
- in pieces
- distraught (pronounced “dis – trort”)
- devastated
- heart-broken
- absolutely gutted
- The students were absolutely upset when their school play was canceled due to bad weather.
- She was heart-broken when her best friend moved away.
- The artist was devastated when their gallery closed down.
- She was in pieces after her breakup with her boyfriend.
We can also talk about the help or extra support that somebody might need when they’re in a difficult situation.There are many ways to help them. They might need someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, or practical assistance with tasks.
- After losing her job, she’s going to need all the support she can get to find a new one.
- They’ve lost their home in the fire, so we’re going to have to rally round them for the time being to help them get back on their feet.
- It’s going to take time for them to pick up the pieces and cope with the loss of their loved one.
- She’s facing a difficult decision, so she’ll need some moral support from her family and friends.
- It’s going to take her ages to get over the breakup, especially after being together for so long.
10 ways to cheer up a sad person
If someone is a little down, you can try these 9 expressions to cheer him/her up:
- Chin up!
- Look on the bright side!
- Oh well, things could be worse!
- Cheer up! It might never happen!
- Tomorrow is another day
- You never know
- You win some, you lose some
- You can not win them all
- Every cloud has its silver lining
- Things can only get better!
#5-10 are mostly motivational phrases for giving hope and optimism to someone who is sad due to failure, disappointment or misfortune.
Conclusion
Whether you’re celebrating good news or offering support during difficult times, these expressions will help you convey your feelings with clarity and empathy. Remember, language is a powerful tool, and using it thoughtfully can make a significant difference in how we connect with one another.
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