Feelings

1. 开心

   Kāixīn

   Happy / Glad

   Usage

   The everyday word for feeling good right now — show it when you receive a gift or a kindness

2. 幸福

   Xìngfú

   Blessed / Content

   Usage

   Unlike the momentary "kāixīn", this is contentment with life as a whole

3. 好笑

   Hǎoxiào

   Funny

   Usage

   Say it about a joke or a situation. Aimed at a person it sounds mocking, so keep it to events

4. 兴奋

   Xīngfèn

   Excited

   Usage

   For the start of a trip or a plan you are looking forward to. "Hǎo qīdài" fits the same moment

5. 骄傲

   Jiāo'ào

   Proud

   Usage

   As "wǒ wèi nǐ jiāo'ào" (I am proud of you) it is a compliment. On its own it can also mean arrogant, so give it context

6. 放心

   Fàngxīn

   Reassured

   Usage

   "Nǐ fàngxīn" turns it into "don't worry", used to calm someone else down

7. 松了一口气

   Sōngle yī kǒu qì

   What a relief

   Usage

   For the moment a worry lifts — a lost item found, a train caught in time

8. 我爱你

   Wǒ ài nǐ

   I love you

   Usage

   A weighty phrase for a partner or family, not for friends. Online, "520" stands in for it because the numbers sound similar

9. 喜欢

   Xǐhuan

   I like it

   Usage

   Works for things, places, and food. Applied to a person it can read as a romantic confession, so choose your moment

10. 想你

    Xiǎng nǐ

    I miss you

    Usage

    For someone close. "Xiǎng" also means "to think" or "to want", so the pronoun is what makes the meaning clear

11. 难过

    Nánguò

    Sad

    Usage

    The everyday word for emotional pain. Keep it apart from "bù shūfu", which is physical

12. 可惜

    Kěxī

    What a shame

    Usage

    The response to a near miss — a shop closed, the weather turned. Works as a sympathetic reply

13. 失望

    Shīwàng

    Disappointed

    Usage

    For when expectations are not met. Aimed at a person it is a hard rebuke, so say it about the situation

14. 寂寞

    Jìmò

    Lonely

    Usage

    For a long solo trip. Lighter and more everyday than "gūdú"

15. 生气

    Shēngqì

    Angry

    Usage

    Usable when complaining, but Chinese conversations go better if you first say "wǒ bù shēngqì" — I am not angry — to protect the other side's face

16. 烦

    Fán

    Annoyed

    Usage

    Muttered about your own irritation. Do not say "nǐ hǎo fán", which blames the other person

17. 害怕

    Hàipà

    Scared

    Usage

    Also for telling a guide you cannot do a height or an activity. "Wǒ hàipà" is I am scared

18. 吓一跳

    Xià yī tiào

    I was startled

    Usage

    The reflex line when someone appears out of nowhere. It carries no blame

19. 担心

    Dānxīn

    Worried

    Usage

    Show it when you are anxious about luggage or a connection. "Bié dānxīn" means don't worry

20. 压力大

    Yālì dà

    Stressed out

    Usage

    Literally "the pressure is big" — the fixed way to talk about a heavy workload or studies

21. 尴尬

    Gāngà

    Awkward

    Usage

    Say it about yourself after a slip has made things awkward. Aimed at someone else it sounds accusing

22. 害羞

    Hàixiū

    Shy / Bashful

    Usage

    For blushing moments — being photographed, being praised. It carries no blame, so it is safe with anyone

23. 无聊

    Wúliáo

    Bored

    Usage

    Use it about your own idleness. Applied to a person or a thing it means "pointless" — avoid that

24. 累

    Lèi

    Tired

    Usage

    Show it when you are walked out or need a break on a tour. "Hǎo lèi" is "so tired"

25. 困

    Kùn

    Sleepy

    Usage

    For jet lag or an overnight train. Distinct from "lèi", which is physical tiredness

26. 我很好

    Wǒ hěn hǎo

    I am fine

    Usage

    The reply to "nǐ hǎo ma". Also for reassuring someone who is worried about you

27. 不舒服

    Bù shūfu

    I feel unwell

    Usage

    Covers feeling ill in general. After showing it, point at a part in the body category to move things along

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