Ser vs. estar with the word feliz

Question

I have always used only "ser" with the word feliz, however, I am seeing more and more estar + feliz.

This doesn't sound right to me.

Do you have an opinion on this? If so, please share. Gracias.

I wish that you were still here old friend , then it would be , soy feliz de nuevo. - ray76, Jan 9, 2015

Answer 1

Soy feliz - I am a happy person. Estoy feliz - I feel happy.

Gracias, Jeezzle! - Delores--Lindsey, Jun 9, 2010

Thank you Jeezzle, I was going to put up the exact comment, but you got there first. :) - Daniela2041, Jan 8, 2015

Answer 2

Soy (una persona) feliz > Soy feliz.

A person is implied inside "soy" - AntMexico, Jun 9, 2010

Lo aprecio mucho, Morbo. - Delores--Lindsey, Jun 9, 2010

Answer 3

arh1

I was taught in my Spanish class that you were always supposed to use ser with feliz >rather than estar. My teacher was from Spain

Although feliz and contento can be said to be synonymous (meaning happy) there does seem to be a slight nuance of difference between them. As a generalisation feliz is usually considered to refer to a more enduring happiness (making it a good candidate for ser and character traits etc) and contento is generally seen to be more of a passing emotion felt in the moment but not necesarily residual (for this reason working well with estar).

Having said that you are bound to come across exceptions .

Nice, Kiwi. How are you? Feliz , or at least contenta? - annierats, Jan 9, 2015

Hey Annie, yes I'm good thanks :) how about You? - Kiwi-Girl, Jan 11, 2015

Answer 4

I was told by a Spanish teacher (as in from Spain) that ester feliz also means to be tipsy. I've never heard it anywhere else though so I'm not positive.

In Mexico we say "estar alegre" or "andar alegre" to mean that someone is tipsy. - LuisCache, Jan 9, 2015

Answer 5

In Spain, I think that they try to be a little more conservative and the language changes just a little bit from time to time. At one time, I remember "feliz" just being used with "ser" I'm Spanish, but I came to the US when I was quite young.

I have become more Mexicanized up to the present time and I am in agreement with those who said "Soy feliz" = I am a happy person. Estoy feliz=I'm happy, This is what is being taught today in every major College Spanish textbook.

As far as the word "drunk"

How about: Borracho, ebrio,Briago, Alumbrado, Teporocho, Encandilado, Enchispado,

A guy that is high is un cohete, or está ahogado, or está al color. If he is really "bombed", you can say "anda bien pedo" But "feliz" just ain't in there!!

Some of the above may be "R" rated. I'm not sure I just put them in for fun. :) - Daniela2041, Jan 9, 2015

Estoy feliz de que usted los pone en - ray76, Jan 9, 2015

Yes! I hear "anda bien pedo" often. - gringojrf, Jan 9, 2015

Answer 6

if you're saying, i'm a happy person, referring to your personality, then you use ser. if you are talking about your emotions, as in saying, i'm happy, you use estar.

Muchas gracias! - Delores--Lindsey, Jun 9, 2010

Answer 7

I was taught in my Spanish class that you were always supposed to use ser with feliz rather than estar. My teacher was from Spain.

Answer 8

Soy feliz. I am happy person everyday. Estoy feliz. I am happy at this moment.

Exactly, mxsant, and your English sentences are perfect, too. - Echoline, Feb 13, 2011