Module 12: Advanced Vocabulary – Expressing Emotions, Desires, and Opinions

In this module, we will delve into advanced vocabulary and structures used to express emotions, desires, and opinions in Spanish. This will help you add depth to your conversations and allow you to express more complex ideas and feelings. We’ll also cover how to use common expressions and phrasal verbs related to these topics, which will enhance both your speaking and writing skills.

Lesson 1: Expressing Emotions and Feelings

Common Verbs for Emotions and Feelings:

estar triste – to be sad
sentir (e:ie) – to feel
preocupar – to worry
alegrarse – to be happy, to be glad
temer – to fear
emocionar – to excite, to thrill
decepcionar – to disappoint

Example sentences:

Estoy triste porque no puedo ir a la fiesta. – I am sad because I can’t go to the party.
Me siento muy feliz hoy. – I feel very happy today.
Mis padres se preocuparon cuando llegué tarde. – My parents worried when I arrived late.

Adjectives to Express Emotions:

contento/a – happy
enojado/a – angry
ansioso/a – anxious
nervioso/a – nervous
sorprendido/a – surprised
frustrado/a – frustrated
asustado/a – scared

Example sentences:

Está enojado porque no lo invité a la fiesta. – He’s angry because I didn’t invite him to the party.
Estamos sorprendidos por las noticias. – We are surprised by the news.

Lesson 2: Expressing Desires

Verbs and Phrases for Expressing Desires:

desear – to wish
querer (e:ie) – to want
esperar – to hope
ansiar – to yearn, to long for
preferir (e:ie) – to prefer

Example sentences:

Deseo que todo salga bien. – I wish that everything goes well.
Espero que te mejores pronto. – I hope that you get better soon.
Quiero viajar a España el próximo año. – I want to travel to Spain next year.

Using the Subjunctive to Express Desires:

When expressing desires, hopes, or preferences about something that is not certain, use the subjunctive mood.

Quiero que me llames mañana. – I want you to call me tomorrow.
Ojalá que no llueva. – I hope it doesn’t rain.

Lesson 3: Expressing Opinions

Verbs for Expressing Opinions:

pensar (e:ie) – to think
creer – to believe
considerar – to consider
opinar – to opine
suponer – to suppose, assume

Example sentences:

Creo que es una buena idea. – I think it’s a good idea.
Opino que deberíamos ir al cine. – I think we should go to the movies.
Supongo que ella tiene razón. – I suppose she is right.

Agreeing and Disagreeing:

Estoy de acuerdo – I agree
No estoy de acuerdo – I don’t agree
Tienes razón – You are right
No es cierto – It’s not true

Example sentences:

Estoy de acuerdo con lo que dijiste. – I agree with what you said.
No estoy de acuerdo con tu opinión. – I don’t agree with your opinion.

Lesson 4: Common Expressions for Emotions and Opinions

Expressions for Emotions:

estar como una cabra – to be crazy
me pone nervioso/a – it makes me nervous
estar en las nubes – to be daydreaming
darle miedo a alguien – to scare someone
tener un nudo en el estómago – to have a knot in the stomach (to feel nervous or anxious)

Example sentences:

Estás como una cabra si crees eso. – You’re crazy if you think that.
Esa película me pone nervioso. – That movie makes me nervous.

Expressions for Desires and Wishes:

tener ganas de – to feel like, to want to
soñar con – to dream of
tener esperanza de – to have hope for

Example sentences:

Tengo ganas de comer pizza. – I feel like eating pizza.
Siempre he soñado con viajar a Japón. – I have always dreamed of traveling to Japan.

Expressions for Opinions:

a mi parecer – in my opinion
en mi opinión – in my opinion
no tengo ninguna duda de que – I have no doubt that
me parece que – it seems to me that

Example sentences:

A mi parecer, la película fue excelente. – In my opinion, the movie was excellent.
No tengo ninguna duda de que ella es la mejor opción. – I have no doubt that she is the best option.

Lesson 5: Emotions and Desires in the Future

Emotions and Desires in the Future:

Espero que (subjunctive) – I hope that
Me gustaría que (subjunctive) – I would like that
Ojalá que (subjunctive) – I wish that

Example sentences:

Espero que vengas a mi fiesta. – I hope that you come to my party.
Me gustaría que ella me llamara. – I would like her to call me.
Ojalá que no llueva mañana. – I wish it won’t rain tomorrow.

End of Module 12: Review

By the end of this module, you will be able to express a wide range of emotions, desires, and opinions in Spanish. You will also be familiar with many expressions and idiomatic phrases that will make you sound more natural and conversational. Mastering these advanced vocabulary concepts will help you communicate with confidence in a variety of situations.