Expressing emotions is an integral part of our lives. At times it is not only healthy, but vital to be able to express what you are feeling at a given moment. In this article we will explore some of the ways you can express your emotions in Russian.
Emotions can be verbalized using different parts of speech. Let’s have a look at the following sentence templates to see how we can incorporate different emotions in our speech.
МНЕ + _Cлово Kатегории Cостояния (CKC)_ [mne] + _Special Adv.__ I am/I feel + _Special Adv.__
In Russian language, there is a special part of speech that expresses an object’s state of being. It is called “Cлово Kатегории Cостояния” (“CKC”). So the easiest way to articulate the way you feel will be to take a corresponding “CKC” and use it as shown in the above template.
Russian Vocabulary: Positive Emotions
Russian Vocabulary: Negative Emotions
To amplify an emotion, use ОЧЕНЬ – Very/Really, or ТАК – So.
To tone down a negative emotion, use НЕМНОГО – A little.
To express the opposite emotion, use Совсем/Ничуть/Вовсе/Отнюдь HE – Not at all.
Я + _Глаг._ [ya] + _Verb_ I + _Verb_
In many situations it is appropriate to express your state of being using a feeling verb.
Russian Emotions Vocabulary: Positive Feeling Verbs
Russian Emotions Vocabulary: Negative Feeling Verbs
To amplify an emotion, use Очень – Very/Really, or Так – So.
To tone down a negative emotion, use Немного – A little.
To express the opposite emotion, use Совсем/Ничуть/Вовсе/Отнюдь HE – Not at all.
Меня + _Глаг._ [miNJA] + _Verb_ I am + _Verb_
This template lets us use a feeling verb in a different way.
Russian Emotions Vocabulary: Positive Feeling Verbs
Russian Emotions Vocabulary: Negative Feeling Verbs
To amplify an emotion, use ОЧЕНЬ – Very/Really, or ТАК – So.
To tone down a negative emotion, use НЕМНОГО – A little.
To express the opposite emotion, use Совсем/Ничуть/Вовсе/Отнюдь НЕ – Not at all.
Я + _Прил._ [ya] + _Adj._ I am + _Adj._
With this template, we have to be mindful of the grammar. Remember that in the Russian language, some words are assigned a gender. With the “Я + _Прил._” formula, the ending of the emotion-expressing word depends on whether you speak as a male or a female.
Positive
Negative
Разочарованa | /razachaROvana] | |
Раздраженa | razdrazheNA] | |
vazmushcheNA] | ||
To amplify an emotion, use ОЧЕНЬ – Very/Really, or ТАК – So.
To tone down a negative emotion, use НЕМНОГО – A little.
To express the opposite emotion, use Совсем/Ничуть/Вовсе/Отнюдь HE – Not at all
Я в + _Сущ._ [ya v] + _Noun_ I am in _Noun_
With certain feelings, try this template.
Positive
Negative
Я в ярости от их решения. – I’m furious with their decision.
Скучаю vs Скучно
Note the difference between these two words. The verb “Скучать” can mean either “To miss (someone)” or “To be bored”, depending on how you use it. Let’s have a look at the following sentences to form a clear idea.
Я скучаю по тебе. – I miss you. vs Мне скучно. – I’m bored.
Some Useful Phrases
Кайф – [kajf] – Feeling high
This word can be used on its own when expressing how much you are enjoying an activity, especially something relaxing, or if you are particularly satisfied with something you did. For instance, you could be having a picnic outdoors, or getting a massage, or having just finished a workout, and say “Кайф!”.
Мне все равно – [mne vsjo ravNO] – I don’t care
This one can be used in the same situations you would use “I don’t care” in English.
Не знаю, не знаю – [ne znAju, ne znAju] – Don’t know, don’t know
This phrase is used to stress your uncertainty about something, often in an ironic or humorous way. When being humorous about it, Russians often make it sound really long to stress their doubt in a funny way, like “Не знаю, не знaaaaаю”, and would usually say some counterargument.
Мне надоело – [mne nadaJElo] – I’m sick of
This phrase could be used on its own as a complete sentence when applicable, or followed by what it is that no longer serves you.
Меня бесит – [meNJA BEsit] – A more extreme version of “makes me mad”
This one is used when something irritates you so much that you are borderline ready to blow up.
We invite you to keep exploring new ways of expressing your emotions in Russian, and hope that you will experience far more positive emotions than negative ones as you master this language!
Remember, Russian people are aware of how difficult their language can be, and are always very impressed and extremely supportive when someone from abroad is studying it!
