Thank God 2017 is finally over. Wishing you all the best in 2018!
Today I’m over the moon, because two of my children, who are also my students of Englsih, have passed Cambridge Exams. Now, it is time to snap out of my bad mood and start February in high spirits. Do you understand the idiomatic expressions I’ve just used? They convey happiness.
Do you realize that I’m using other ways to say happy in English? Well, if you want to speak better English, you need to expand your vocabulary, OK?Start your English conversation by answering the questions below. If you don't have a conversation partner, think about how you would answer each question with complete English sentences.
TALKING ABOUT HAPPINESS/ SADNESS
- What is happiness for you?
- In your opinion, can money buy happiness?
- What do you usually do to feel happier?
- Is happiness relative, that is, does it have a different meaning for each person?
- Do pets play an important role in our lives?should they be seen as valuable contributors to human health and wellbeing?
- When did you last feel very happy? What happened?
- How do you show your happiness? Do you share it with others or keep it private?
- Which country has the happiest people in the world? Which has the saddest? Why is it so?
- Were you happier as a child than as an adult? Why or why not?
- Are you happy all the time or is happiness a state of mind?
- Are the things that make people happy today the same as several decades ago?
- In general, what do you think makes a happy family?
- In English we say “ignorance is bliss". Do you agree? If ignorance is bliss, is knowledge pain?
- What is missing in your life that would make you very happy?
- Are married people happier than singles?
- Does religion make people happy?
- If you could give a piece of advice to someone about being happy, what would it be?
- Does happiness change with age?
- What was the most recent situation or activity in which you experienced the most happiness?
USEFUL VOCABULARY
- In high spirits= If someone is in high spirits, they are extremely happy and having a good time: e.gThey’d had a couple of drinks and were in high spirits.
- To be over the moon= to be very pleased: e.g She was over the moon about/with her new car
- On cloud nine= In a state of extreme, euphoric happiness. e.g Ever since Mary got her promotion at work, she's been on cloud nine.
- Walking on air – To feel elated and so happy that you could float. e.g She was walking on air when she got the job.
- On Top of the World – Not only does this talk about happiness, but it can also specifically talk about the happiness we get from being successful.e.g He was on top of the world after winning first prize
- To Jump for Joy – To be very happy. e.g.I jumped for joy once I found out I had been chosen to be in the team
- glad= pleased and happyI.e.g.I 'm glad (that) you came.
- happy
- content= happy or pleased with the situation
- satisfied= happy because you have what you need e.g I’m, satisfied with my job.
- cheerful =Someone who is cheerful is happy and shows this in their behaviour.
- elated= extremely happy and excited, often because something has happened or been achieved:e.g He was elated at/by the birth of his son.
- pleased= happy or satisfied:
- delighted =very pleased:a delighted audience. e.g Pat was delighted with her new car.I was delighted at/by your news.
- thrilled =very excited, happy, and pleased
- overjoyed= extremely happy
- euphoric= elated
- joy= great happiness:= e.gThey were filled with joy when they got married.
- bliss= perfect happiness: e.g Lying on a sunny beach is my idea of sheer bliss.
- euphoria= a noun that refers to extreme happiness
If you’re feeling down, here are some suggestions on how to express sadness.
- sad (adj) / sadness (n)
- upset = unhappy, worried and emotionally troubled
- miserable = very unhappy.She went to bed, miserable and depressed/misery (n)
- (down) in the dumps= unhappy: e.g.She’s down in the dumps because she failed one of her exams
- to feel blue= to feel sad. e.g You look like you feel blue. What's wrong?
- to get someone down= to make someone unhappy e.g This terrible weather gets me down
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