英語で感情や気温を表す形容詞の強さの違いと自然な使い方

In English, we often talk about how we feel, especially with words like cold, tired, or happy. But did you know there are many levels of each feeling?

In this post, we’ll look at three common topics: temperature, happiness, and tiredness. You’ll learn stronger and weaker adjectives for each one; how to use intensifiers like very, really, and totally.

1. Temperature

We often talk about the weather in English - especially in the UK! But just saying “cold” or “hot” isn’t always accurate enough.

From hottest to coldest:

• Boiling (extremely hot)

• Hot

• Warm

• Pleasant

• Cool (a little cold in a good way)

• Chilly (a little cold in a bad way)

• Cold

• Icy

• Freezing (extremely cold)

Examples:

“It’s boiling today! I need a fan.”

“It’s a bit chilly this morning. Take a jacket.”

“We had a cool wind last night. It felt nice.”

Grammar Tip:

• Use very or really with middle adjectives:

  “very hot,” “really cold,” “very warm”

• Use totally or completely with extreme adjectives:

  “completely freezing,” “totally boiling”

  (But we usually just say “freezing” or “boiling” without “completely” or “totally”)

Cultural Note (UK):

British speakers often use softer phrases like “a bit chilly” or “rather warm” instead of strong words.
This is because softer words often feel more polite.

2. Happiness

There are many ways to talk about happiness in English.
Each word shows a different level of feeling.

From happiest to saddest:

• Ecstatic / Overjoyed (extremely happy)

• Delighted / Really happy

• Happy

• Content

• Fine / Okay

• Sad / Down

• Miserable / Depressed (extremely unhappy)

Examples:

“I was delighted with my test results.”

“She said she’s just okay today, not great.”

“He looked miserable after the meeting, so I think it went badly.”

Common Mistake:

✘ “I was very overjoyed.”

✔ “I was overjoyed.” (Remember: we don’t usually use “very” with extreme adjectives)

Cultural Note:

In the UK, people sometimes say “not bad” to mean “pretty good,” and “can’t complain” to mean “I’m okay.”
These expressions may sound negative but are actually quite positive!

3. Tiredness

Tiredness can also be strong or mild, and we use different words to show how we feel.

From most tired to most awake:

• Exhausted / Drained (extremely tired)

• Very tired

• Tired

• A bit tired / Sleepy

• Awake

• Energetic

• Wide awake (extremely alert)

Examples:

“I’m exhausted after the long flight.”

“She was a bit tired, so she left early.”

“He’s wide awake this morning!”

Cultural Note (UK):

You may hear “knackered” (informal British English) instead of “exhausted” - it’s very common in everyday speech.

Using Intensifiers Naturally

Here are some useful tips:

• Use very or really with normal adjectives:

  very tired, really happy, really cold

• Use totally, completely, absolutely with extreme adjectives:

  absolutely freezing, completely exhausted

• Avoid using “very” with extreme adjectives:

  ✘ “very freezing”

  ✔ “freezing” or “absolutely freezing”

Quick Practice

Choose the best word to complete each sentence:

1. It’s ______ today. I can’t stop sweating!

2. I’m ______ after staying up all night.

3. She said she’s feeling ______. She passed her exam!

4. I’m not cold, but I feel a little ______.

5. He’s ______. He couldn’t even stand up at the end of the race.

Final Thoughts

English has many adjectives that help you describe how you feel more clearly. By learning these scales, you can make your English sound more natural and expressive.

Try to notice how native speakers use these words in conversation, and practise choosing the best word for the situation.

Answers:

1. boiling

2. exhausted/drained

3. delighted/other strong happy word

4. chilly

5. exhausted/drained