Emotions are a universal human experience, but the words we use to describe them can vary greatly from one language to another. Learning how to express emotions in Portuguese can be a fascinating and useful part of becoming fluent in the language. Here are some key Portuguese words for different emotions, along with their definitions and example sentences.

Felicidade (Happiness)
Felicidade is the feeling of pleasure and contentment. It’s what you feel when something makes you happy or fulfilled.
Depois de receber boas notícias, ele estava transbordando de felicidade.

Tristeza (Sadness)
Tristeza signifies a state of sorrow or unhappiness. It is the emotion you feel when you’re upset or grieving.
A tristeza dela era evidente após a despedida do amigo.

Amor (Love)
Amor refers to a profound and caring affection towards someone or something.
Ela expressou seu amor por ele com um abraço apertado.

Medo (Fear)
Medo is the emotion experienced when you face danger or the possibility of harm—real or imagined.
Ele sentiu um grande medo ao ouvir os barulhos estranhos à noite.

Raiva (Anger)
Raiva is a strong feeling of displeasure or hostility. It’s what arises when you’re frustrated or feel treated unfairly.
A raiva tomou conta dele depois da injustiça que sofreu.

Inveja (Envy)
Inveja is the desire to have something that someone else possesses, coupled with feelings of discontent or resentment.
Ela sentiu uma ponta de inveja ao ver a irmã recebendo elogios.

Ansiedade (Anxiety)
Ansiedade reflects a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about something with an uncertain outcome.
A ansiedade era palpável enquanto ele aguardava os resultados dos exames.

Surpresa (Surprise)
Surpresa occurs when something unexpected happens. It’s often a neutral emotion that can swing towards happiness or disappointment depending on the context.
Ela pulou de surpresa quando os amigos apareceram em sua festa.

Desgosto (Disgust)
Desgosto is a feeling of revulsion or profound disapproval aroused by something unpleasant or offensive.
Ele não conseguiu esconder seu desgosto ao provar a comida estragada.

Alívio (Relief)
Alívio is the easing of stress or discomfort; the emotion you might feel when a distressing situation is resolved or avoided.
Sentiu um imenso alívio ao saber que sua família passava bem após a tempestade.

Esperança (Hope)
Esperança is the feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. It’s a positive outlook on future events.
Mantinha a esperança de reencontrar seu velho amigo algum dia.

Orgulho (Pride)
Orgulho signifies self-respect and satisfaction with one’s own or another’s achievements.
Ela sentiu muito orgulho ao ver seu filho se formar na universidade.

Ciúme (Jealousy)
Ciúme is the feeling of resentment toward someone because of that person’s rivalry, success, or advantages. It often involves a fear of losing affection or position.
O ciúme o consumia cada vez que via sua parceira conversando com outra pessoa.

Understanding these words and the nuances of emotion they convey can enhance your emotional literacy in Portuguese. Whether you’re engaging in deep conversations with native speakers or interpreting the sentiment behind a literary passage, familiarity with these emotional expressions will enrich your communication and comprehension of the Portuguese language. Keep practicing and immerse yourself in contexts where these words are used, and you’ll soon be speaking about emotions like a native Portuguese speaker.