By Sujanti Djuanda – Chinese teacher at Lingolearn.com
Chinese Words for Feelings: 感情(gǎnqíng= affection, feeling) and 感觉(gǎnjué=feeling, to feel)
The noun “感情(gǎnqíng=feeling, affection)” is a deep loving feeling for people or things. It needs a long time to produce it (a long-term feeling process).
The noun感觉(gǎnjué=feeling) is the simple feeling for people or things (a short-term feeling).
Example 1a:
When we met at first time, we totally didn’t have any feelings. We are just friends. (a short term feeling)
我们(wǒmen=we)第一次(dìyīcì=first)见面(jiànmiàn)时(shí=when),完全(wánquán)没(méi=not)感觉(gǎnjué)。我们(wǒmen=we)只是(zhǐshì=only)朋友(péngyou=friend)而已(éryǐ)。
Compare with Example 1b: We are together for 5 years, our affection is very deep. (a long-term feeling process).
我们(wǒmen=we)在一起(zàiyīqǐ=together)5(wǔ=five)年(nián=year)了(le),感情(gǎnqíng)很(hěn=very)深(shēn= deep)了(le)。
Example 2a:
I have a very good affection for China, because over the last three years I have made a lot of friends. (a long-term feeling process).
我(wǒ=I)对(duì=towards)中国(Zhōngguó=China)感情(gǎnqíng=affection, feeling)很(hěn=very)好(hǎo=good),因为(yīnwèi=because)三年来(sānniánlái=over the last three years)我(wǒ=I)交(jiāo=to make friends)了(le)很(hěn=very)多(duō=a lot)朋友(péngyou=friend)。
Compare with example 2b:
Though I just went to China 2 times, but I have a good feeling with it. (a short-term feeling).
虽然(suīrán=though)我(wǒ=I)才(cái=just)两(liǎng)次(cì=time)去(qù=go)中国(Zhōngguó=China),但是(dànshì=but)我(wǒ=I)对(duì= towards)中国(Zhōngguó=China)感觉(gǎnjué=feeling) 很(hěn=very)好(hǎo=good)。
Example 3:
I don’t want to hurt his affection.
我(wǒ=I)不(bù=not)想(xiǎng=want)伤害(shānghài)他的(tāde=his)感情(gǎn(qíng=affection)。
II. 感觉(gǎnjué) can be used as a verb but 感情(gǎnqíng) cannot.
Example 1:
How did you feel after eating the medicine?
Subject + Verb1 + 了(le) + Object + Verb2 + How?
你(nǐ=you)吃(chī=to eat)了(le)药(yào=medicine)感觉(gǎnjué=to feel)(or 觉得(juéde=to feel))怎么样(zěnmeyang=how)?
Description:
As a verb, 感觉(gǎnjué=to feel) and 觉得(juéde=to feel) are often interchangeable.
You cannot say: 你(nǐ=you)吃(chī=to eat)了(le)药(yào=medicine) 感情(gǎnqíng=feeling)怎么样(zěnmeyang=how)?(感情(gǎnqíng) cannot used as a verb).
Example 2:
I feel much better now.
我(wǒ=I)感觉(gǎnjué=to feel)(or 觉得(juéde=to feel)好多(hǎoduō=much better)了(le)。
You cannot say: 我(wǒ=I)感情(gǎnqíng=feeling)好多(hǎoduō=much better)了(le)。(感情(gǎnqíng) cannot used as a verb)
Would you like to start learning Chinese Online, from the comfort of your home, with an experienced teacher?
LingoLearn is an online Chinese school that offers beginners level Chinese courses, as well as intermediate and advanced level courses. Learn Chinese with our experienced teachers and excellent learning materials, in a state of the art virtual classroom!
Click here to receive details about our Chinese campus