感情
An emotion or feeling is how you experience something inside, like being happy or sad.
Explanation at your level:
You have feelings every day. When you smile, you have a happy feeling. When you cry, you have a sad feeling. These are your emotions. They help you tell people what you like or do not like.
An emotion is a strong feeling. You might feel happy at a party or sad when you lose a toy. Everyone has these feelings. It is normal to show your emotions to your friends and family.
Emotions are complex reactions to the world around us. We use the word to describe states like anger, joy, or fear. Understanding your own 感情 is important for building good relationships with others.
The term encompasses the nuanced spectrum of human sentiment. Whether you are discussing 'emotional stability' or 'suppressed emotions,' the word serves as a cornerstone for describing psychological well-being and social interaction.
In advanced discourse, 感情 is often analyzed through the lens of cognitive psychology and sociology. It is not merely a reaction but a construct that influences decision-making, social norms, and personal identity within a cultural framework.
Etymologically and philosophically, the term explores the boundary between the biological impulse and the conscious label. It is a subject of intense study in phenomenology, where the focus shifts from 'having' an emotion to 'being' in a state of emotional resonance with the world.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Emotion is a feeling.
- It comes from the Latin for 'move'.
- It is a noun.
- It is essential to human life.
When we talk about 感情, we are talking about the core of the human experience. It is the internal pulse that tells us whether we like something, fear something, or find something beautiful.
Think of it as your internal weather system. Just like the weather changes from sunny to rainy, your emotions shift based on your day. It is a fundamental part of being alive.
The concept of emotion comes from the Latin word emovere, which means 'to move out' or 'to stir up.' Historically, it was believed that emotions were forces that physically moved the body to act.
In many languages, the root words for emotion are tied to movement. It is a fascinating evolution—from a physical 'stirring' to the complex psychological states we study in modern science today.
You will see this word used everywhere, from casual conversations to deep philosophical debates. We often use it with verbs like express or hide.
In professional settings, we might talk about 'emotional intelligence,' which is the ability to manage your 感情 effectively. It is a versatile word that bridges the gap between our private thoughts and public actions.
1. Wear your heart on your sleeve: To show your emotions openly. 2. Bottle up your feelings: To hide your emotions inside. 3. A roller coaster of emotions: Having many ups and downs. 4. Mixed feelings: Feeling both good and bad about something. 5. Emotional baggage: Past hurts that affect current feelings.
As a noun, it can be countable or uncountable depending on the context. Usually, we refer to 'emotions' in the plural when talking about specific types.
The pronunciation varies by dialect, but the stress is almost always on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like 'notion' or 'motion' in terms of its suffix structure.
Fun Fact
It originally referred to physical movement, not just feelings!
Pronunciation Guide
ee-MOH-shun
ih-MOH-shun
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'tion' ending
- Wrong syllable stress
- Adding an extra sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
medium
medium
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Linking Verbs
I feel good.
Adjective Usage
He is emotional.
Articles
An emotion.
Examples by Level
I am happy.
I = 感情 subject
Simple present state
She is sad.
She = 感情 subject
Simple present state
He feels good.
He = 感情 subject
Linking verb
I like this.
Like = 感情 verb
Preference
They are angry.
They = 感情 subject
Adjective usage
Are you okay?
Question about 感情
Interrogative
I love my dog.
Love = strong 感情
Verb of state
It is fun.
Fun = 感情 result
Adjective
I have mixed feelings about the movie.
She showed her emotions clearly.
He tried to hide his sadness.
They share their feelings often.
It was a very emotional day.
Do not let your emotions control you.
I felt a rush of joy.
He is very emotional today.
She has a deep emotional connection to her hometown.
It is important to manage your emotions at work.
He was overcome with emotion at the wedding.
They discussed their feelings in a calm way.
The book is full of raw emotion.
I could see the emotion in her eyes.
He struggled to express his true feelings.
Emotional intelligence is a key skill.
The film is a powerful exploration of human emotion.
She gave an emotionally charged speech.
His response was driven by pure emotion.
We must consider the emotional impact of our decisions.
She is known for her emotional depth.
The situation was emotionally draining for everyone.
He kept his emotions in check during the trial.
There is a fine line between passion and emotion.
The protagonist's emotional landscape is complex and shifting.
He possessed a remarkable degree of emotional maturity.
The art piece evokes a profound emotional response.
She navigated the emotional minefield with grace.
His writing captures the nuances of human emotion.
Emotional regulation is essential for long-term success.
The political climate is highly emotionally charged.
She articulated her emotions with surprising clarity.
The philosophical inquiry into the nature of emotion remains ongoing.
His performance was a masterclass in emotional restraint.
The poem delves into the visceral nature of human emotion.
She demonstrated an uncanny ability to read emotional cues.
The emotional resonance of the music was palpable.
He was a man of intense emotional volatility.
The study examines the intersection of emotion and cognition.
Her work is a testament to the power of emotional honesty.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"wear your heart on your sleeve"
show feelings openly
He wears his heart on his sleeve.
casual"bottle up"
suppress feelings
Don't bottle up your anger.
neutral"a roller coaster of emotions"
many ups and downs
The divorce was a roller coaster.
casual"mixed feelings"
conflicting emotions
I have mixed feelings about moving.
neutral"emotional baggage"
past trauma
She has a lot of emotional baggage.
casual"in the heat of the moment"
acting on impulse
I said it in the heat of the moment.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean internal states.
Feeling is broader.
I have a feeling vs I have an emotion.
Both relate to how we feel.
Mood lasts longer.
I am in a bad mood vs I feel a strong emotion.
Both are internal.
Sentiment is more social.
Public sentiment vs personal emotion.
Both are strong.
Passion is focused.
Passion for music vs general emotion.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + feel + adjective
I feel happy.
Subject + show + emotion
He showed his emotion.
Subject + suppress + emotion
She suppressed her emotion.
Subject + be + full of + emotion
He was full of emotion.
Subject + deal with + emotion
They deal with emotion well.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Emotion is a noun only.
Subtle difference in usage.
Regular plural.
They are not the same thing.
Sometimes they overlap, but not always.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Associate each room with an emotion.
When Native Speakers Use It
In therapy or deep talks.
Cultural Insight
Westerners are often encouraged to express it.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'an' before 'emotion'.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'shun' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'I emotioned'.
Did You Know?
It comes from the Latin for 'move'.
Study Smart
Keep an emotion journal.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
E-motion: Energy in motion.
Visual Association
A heart moving like a wave.
Word Web
Challenge
Describe your mood in 3 words today.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: to move out
Cultural Context
Can be sensitive; avoid assuming someone's emotional state.
Commonly used in therapy, movies, and daily talk.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- emotional intelligence
- professional boundaries
- manage stress
In relationships
- share feelings
- emotional support
- deep connection
In art
- raw emotion
- evocative work
- artistic expression
In psychology
- emotional regulation
- cognitive process
- behavioral response
Conversation Starters
"How are you feeling today?"
"What makes you feel happy?"
"Do you find it easy to express your emotions?"
"How do you handle stress?"
"What is your favorite emotional movie?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you felt strong emotion.
How do you handle sadness?
What makes you feel most alive?
Write about your current mood.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsThey are very similar but emotion is often more intense.
Yes, it is called mixed feelings.
Through words, art, or body language.
Yes, we say 'emotions'.
The ability to manage feelings.
That is a big debate in AI.
To help us survive and connect.
It is used in acting and gaming.
Test Yourself
I am feeling very ___ today.
Happy is an emotion.
Which is an emotion?
Sadness is a feeling.
Emotions are always physical.
They are cognitive too.
Word
Meaning
Matching emotions to states.
Subject-verb-object order.
Score: /5
Summary
Emotions are the internal movements that define our human experience.
- Emotion is a feeling.
- It comes from the Latin for 'move'.
- It is a noun.
- It is essential to human life.
Memory Palace Trick
Associate each room with an emotion.
When Native Speakers Use It
In therapy or deep talks.
Cultural Insight
Westerners are often encouraged to express it.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'an' before 'emotion'.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
