Feelings

1. Ik ben blij

   I'm glad

   Usage

   For happiness about something that just happened. "Ik ben blij met ..." — I am pleased with something

2. Ik ben gelukkig

   I'm happy

   Usage

   Deeper than "blij", describing a state. Dutch keeps "blij" for the everyday and reserves "gelukkig" for happiness about a life or a relationship

3. Ik heb er zin in

   I'm looking forward to it

   Usage

   Literally "I have a mind for it" — the Dutch way of saying you are looking forward to something. It also covers cravings: "ik heb zin in koffie"

4. Ik ben trots

   I'm proud

   Usage

   Works for your own achievement or as praise: "ik ben trots op je"

5. Wat een opluchting

   What a relief

   Usage

   When lost luggage turns up or a test comes back clear

6. Ik ben dankbaar

   I'm grateful

   Usage

   Weightier than "dank je wel" — for saying what someone's help meant to you

7. Ik hou van je

   I love you

   Usage

   For a partner or family. The same construction covers liking things: "ik hou van kaas" — I love cheese

   Grammar Note

   Written Dutch has "ik houd van je" with the d; speech drops it to "hou"

8. Ik mis je

   I miss you

   Usage

   For someone close; the formal version is "ik mis u"

9. Ik ben verdrietig

   I'm sad

   Usage

   Real sadness. For a passing low mood, "ik voel me somber"

10. Wat jammer

    What a shame

    Usage

    The set phrase for a closed shop or a cancelled plan, and equally for sympathising with someone else's bad luck

11. Ik ben teleurgesteld

    I'm disappointed

    Usage

    A calm way to register a complaint. Directness is not considered rude here, so this says plenty on its own

12. Ik voel me eenzaam

    I feel lonely

    Usage

    For the low moments of solo travel. Simply being on your own is "alleen"; "eenzaam" carries the ache

13. Ik heb heimwee

    I'm homesick

    Usage

    For missing home part-way through a long trip — Dutch builds it as "home ache"

14. Ik ben boos

    I'm angry

    Usage

    In a complaint, showing the card says enough without raising your voice. "Ik ben boos op ..." — angry with someone

15. Ik ben geïrriteerd

    I'm irritated

    Usage

    Milder than "boos" — annoyance rather than anger. Safer aimed at the situation than at the person

16. Ik ben bang

    I'm scared

    Usage

    Add "voor" for the thing you fear: "ik ben bang voor honden" — I am afraid of dogs

17. Ik ben geschrokken

    I got a fright

    Usage

    For a sudden shock — a near miss with a bike, a loud noise

18. Ik maak me zorgen

    I'm worried

    Usage

    Literally "I make myself worries". For luggage that has not arrived or family you cannot reach: "ik maak me zorgen om ..."

19. Ik heb stress

    I'm stressed

    Usage

    Dutch borrows the English word; "ik ben gestrest" works too

20. Ik schaam me

    I'm embarrassed

    Usage

    Use it about your own slip. The reflexive "zich schamen" needs the "me"

21. Ik ben verlegen

    I'm shy

    Usage

    Describes you as a shy person by nature. Dutch people are direct on first meeting, so saying this up front gets you some slack

22. Ik verveel me

    I'm bored

    Usage

    Uses the reflexive "zich vervelen". Keep it about your own state — aimed at someone's plan it is rude

23. Ik ben moe

    I'm tired

    Usage

    Show it when your feet have had enough and you want to suggest a break

24. Ik ben uitgeput

    I'm exhausted

    Usage

    Stronger than "moe" — after a long journey, or when you truly cannot walk further

25. Ik ben slaperig

    I'm sleepy

    Usage

    Sleepy rather than tired ("moe") — the useful one for jet lag

26. Ik voel me goed

    I feel good

    Usage

    The answer when someone asks how you are feeling, with the reflexive "zich voelen"

27. Ik voel me niet lekker

    I don't feel well

    Usage

    The standard opening line when you feel ill. "Lekker" means tasty about food, but about a body it means feeling well — two senses worth keeping apart

28. Ik ben in de war

    I'm confused

    Usage

    Literally "I am in the tangle" — signals that you have not followed, without blaming anyone

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