Feliz vs contento. Both means happy so what is the difference?
Feliz vs contento. Both means happy so what is the difference?
Posted Jun 19, 2021, 7:59 PM UTC
379
The same as the difference between happy and content.
38
I dont know both means the same, but I dont use "soy contento".
These are correct:
Soy feliz.
Estoy contento
Estoy feliz
19
Contento is "in a good mood"
9
Feliz means happy, while contento means content or glad
In my experience they could be used interchangeably on casual conversations, however a key difference is that contento can't be used with "ser" only with "estar" ("estoy contento" instead of "soy contento") while feliz could be used with both ("soy feliz" and "estoy feliz")
5
This is a good question. It's interesting. This is my take:
- where you would naturally say "happy" in English, use "contento." You will almost never be wrong, and you will sound more native
- where you would say "glad" in English, use "feliz" using "estar." But you could also use "contento."
- where you might say "content" in English, say "feliz" using "ser"
A simplified strategy, but pretty effective, I think. The key insight is that Spanish speakers use "contento" A LOT, and English speakers rarely say "content/glad/pleased." They prefer "happy."
3
ser feliz
estar contento
Traditionally "feliz" long-term and "contento" is temporary.
1
contento is more like "glad" or "pleased"
Or content.