How to Say "feelings" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “feelings” is “sentimientos” — use 'sentimientos' for general emotional states or affections you hold towards someone or something..
sentimientos
/sen-tee-mee-EN-tohs//sentimjentos/
Examples
Siento profundos sentimientos por mi familia.
I have deep feelings for my family.
No puedo ocultar mis sentimientos hacia ella.
I can't hide my feelings for her.
¿Cuáles son tus sentimientos sobre este nuevo plan?
What are your feelings (or thoughts) about this new plan?
Expresar los sentimientos es vital para la salud mental.
Expressing emotions is vital for mental health.
Always Plural
Even when referring to the general concept of 'emotion,' the plural 'sentimientos' is often used, similar to how we use 'emotions' in English.
Gender Check
This is a masculine plural noun, so it must be paired with masculine plural words, like 'los sentimientos' (the feelings) or 'muchos sentimientos' (many feelings).
Feeling vs. Sensation
Mistake: “Using 'sensaciones' when you mean 'sentimientos.'”
Correction: 'Sensación' is usually for physical feelings (like 'a tingly sensation'). Use 'sentimientos' only for emotional states.
emociones
/eh-moh-see-OH-nes//emoˈθjones/
Examples
La película provocó muchas emociones en la audiencia.
The movie evoked many emotions in the audience.
Las emociones son una parte natural de la vida.
Emotions are a natural part of life.
Es importante aprender a gestionar tus emociones en momentos difíciles.
It is important to learn how to manage your emotions in difficult moments.
El discurso del presidente despertó una oleada de emociones encontradas en la audiencia.
The president's speech stirred a wave of mixed emotions in the audience.
Feminine Noun Rule
This word is the plural form of 'emoción.' Remember that almost all Spanish nouns ending in '-ción' (like nación, acción, or emoción) are always feminine, so you use 'las' or 'unas' before them.
Using the wrong article
Mistake: “Los emociones son difíciles.”
Correction: Las emociones son difíciles. (Use 'las' because 'emociones' is feminine.)
cora
/ko-rah//ˈko.ɾa/
Examples
Esa canción me llega al cora.
That song really touches my heart.
Te lo digo de cora, de verdad.
I'm telling you from the heart, truly.
Tengo el cora roto por lo que pasó.
My heart is broken because of what happened.
Shortened Words
Spanish speakers often shorten long words in casual speech. 'Cora' is just a shorter, cooler way to say 'corazón'.
Gender Consistency
Even though it ends in 'a', it stays masculine (el cora) because it comes from the masculine word 'el corazón'.
Wrong Gender
Mistake: “la cora (when meaning heart)”
Correction: el cora. Since 'corazón' is masculine, its nickname is masculine too!
corazones
koh-rah-SOH-ness/koɾaˈsones/
Examples
Los corazones de los niños latían con emoción.
The children's hearts were beating with excitement.
Debemos escuchar a nuestros corazones cuando tomamos decisiones importantes.
We must listen to our hearts when making important decisions.
Plural Form
This word is the plural of 'corazón' (heart). Nouns ending in a vowel take '-s' for plural, but nouns ending in a consonant (like 'n') take '-es'.
Gender Confusion
Mistake: “La corazones”
Correction: Los corazones. Even though it ends in '-es', the singular word 'corazón' is masculine, so the plural is also masculine (los).
Sentimientos vs. Emociones
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