Feliz vs. Contento

Question

Both words are translated as "happy" in the dictionary, are there any more widely-accepted differences or nuances between them, e.g. jumping with joy vs. content in a calm manner?

Also, are there set phrases which use only one of these words and the other one wouldn't work - like "Are you happy now?" to express annoyance works only with happy, saying "Are you joyful now?" would sound odd.

Answer 1

Alegrar is used when usually an action makes someone happy, ie: "Me alegra que hayas ganado la lotería." Estar alegre is when someone is demostrative about being happy.

Feliz is used for being in a momentary state of happiness (estar) or for being a happy person (ser).

"Contento(a) is also for being in a state of happiness but calm and not demostrative. Contento is not quite as strong as feliz but the difference between the two is minimal.

Julián: I ofter say, in Englsish: I'm so happy for your, I'm so pleased for you on hearing good news. Evenif I'm not pleased. Does me alegra carry this undertone of not really meaning anything? - annierats, Jan 22, 2013

Answer 2

Feliz: happy ( over the moon) A state seldom reched.

Contento/a : satisfied, pleased, content . ( happy) A calmer sort of satisfaction.

Estoy feliz porque todos mis sueños se han realizado. I'm happy because allmy dreams have come true.

Estoy muy contenta, creo que empiezo entender el subjunctivo. ( Ojalá..) I'm satisfied/ content, because I'm starting to understand the subjunctive.

Y sí, puedes usar la palabra "ojalá" como un "tag" al final de tus oraciones. Voy a dominar el idioma, ojalá. - avispao, Jan 21, 2013

lo que es igual a ....god willing - avispao, Jan 21, 2013

Estoy de acuerdo contigo. (Feliz) sin tilde y cometiste un error tipográfico con "empieza" en vez de "empiezo." El subjuntivo es el objeto directo de lo que vas entendiendo... así que "entender el subjuntivo" sin (a) - avispao, Jan 21, 2013

Eres muy amable. Hago unos pocos 'typos' y errores de vez en cuando, o sea, todo el tiempo. Gracias. - annierats, Jan 21, 2013

Jaja... "o sea, todo el tiempo" lol - avispao, Jan 21, 2013

Answer 3

I'd like to add a bit more to Julian's awesome comments (as they usually are, as to not say always... which is well possible)

I think that it's a bit more like this

Alegrar: From alegría (joy)

Feliz: Happy

Contento: content

You'd use it as you do in English, they are just about synonymous, but those differences in the Spanish terms, are equal to the differences in English, so as long as you understand it in English, those are your translations, to add a bit of nuance to the thought process.

Me alegra que hayas aprendido más acerca del subjuntivo: To me it gives joy that you've learned more about the subjunctive.

You can also use the form: Alegrarse (de que) - which says ...I am joyful of that

Me alegro de que te haya tocado la lotería - I'm joyful of that you've won the lottery.

Estoy feliz = I'm happy

Estoy contento = I'm content (It's not necessarily a happiness, but you are in a good state of mind.. I'm satisfied)

'contento' is more like satisfied. - avispao, Jan 21, 2013

Answer 4

I´ve wondered that too, as they seem to be used almost interchangeably.

And just to be difficult, you really need to throw ¨Alegre¨ in there too

Answer 5

You'll probably want to take into account geographical context - standard vocabulary, slang aside, varies muchly from country to county. Most subtitled films I see here in Colombia are subtitled in Mexicañol and the Spanish used is vastly different to that spoken here...