↑ lively · ↓ calm. ドキドキ and びっくり go either way. Adjectives like 怖い and つまらない describe both you (怖い！ I'm scared!) and the thing (怖い映画 a scary film). ★ = explained below.
No clean English word · 訳しにくい気持ち
Warm fondness when something brings the past back. Not wistful or sad — closer to "oh, this takes me back!"
この曲、懐かしい！ This song takes me back!
The sting of losing or falling short after you tried — frustration aimed at the result, often at yourself. Fuel for next time.
一点差で負けて、悔しい。 Lost by one point — it really stings.
Regret that something’s value is being wasted — food, time, money, talent.
まだ使えるのに、捨てるのはもったいない。 It still works — throwing it out is such a waste.
To lean on someone’s kindness, like a child with a parent. Often warm, not just "act spoiled".
じゃあ、お言葉に甘えて。 Well then, I'll take you up on your kind offer.
My feelings vs. theirs · 自分と他人
Japanese treats feelings as private: you state your own plainly, but for anyone else you say how they look, how they act, or what you've heard.
(私は) 嬉しい！
I'm happy!
✗ 彼は悲しい。
sounds like you can see inside his head
Questions (寂しい？) and novels are fine.
✓ 彼は嬉しそうだ。
he looks happy — drop い, add そう (いい → よさそう)
✓ 子どもが犬を怖がる。
the child is afraid of dogs (and shows it) — 嬉しがる, 嫌がる …
✓ 彼女は悲しむだろう。
she'll grieve — feeling verbs (悲しむ, 喜ぶ) work for anyone
私は日本に行きたい。
I want to go to Japan.
✓ 弟は日本に行きたがっている。
my brother wants to go (and shows it)
✗ 弟は日本に行きたい。
Also fine for others: 〜みたい / 〜らしい (悲しいみたい), and 好き/嫌い — they're tastes, not moods (彼は猫が好きだ).
In the wild · 例文
- やった、合格した！すごく嬉しい！ Yes, I passed! I’m so happy!
- 明日から旅行だから、ワクワクしてる。 The trip starts tomorrow, so I’m all excited.
- 面接の前はいつも緊張する。 I always get nervous before interviews.
- 無事に着いたと聞いて、ほっとした。 I was relieved to hear you got there safely.
- 一人で食べるご飯は寂しい。 Eating alone is lonely.
- 毎朝お弁当を作るのは面倒くさい。 Making a packed lunch every morning is such a pain.