I'm happy
Use this to mean 'I'm content' or 'I'm pleased'. It's very common. Remember to use 'contento' if you're male and 'contenta' if you're female.
This means 'I'm joyful' or 'I'm cheerful'. Use it when happiness is more active and expressive.
This translates to 'I feel happy'. It's a slightly more introspective way to express the same emotion.
I'm happy to see you.
My mom is very happy with her gift.
We are happy because we are going on vacation.
I feel happy when I listen to this song.
'Estoy feliz' and 'Estoy contento/a' are universally understood and are the most common ways to express happiness.
Usage is the same as in Latin America. The main difference is pronunciation: the 'z' in 'feliz' is pronounced like 'th' in 'thin' (feh-LEETH).
In addition to the standard phrases, you might hear 'Estoy a gusto', which means you feel content, comfortable, and happy in a particular situation or place.
While 'feliz' and 'contento' are standard, the colloquial phrase 'Estoy chocho/a' is used to express being extremely happy or delighted, especially with a person (like a new baby).
The phrase 'estar amañado/a' can be used to describe feeling happy, settled, and at home in a place, similar to 'a gusto' in Mexico.
Using 'ser' instead of 'estar' (e.g., 'Soy feliz') — In Spanish, we use 'estar' for temporary states and emotions. 'Estoy feliz' means 'I am happy right now'. 'Soy feliz' means 'I am a happy person in general'. For the feeling, always use 'estar'.
Forgetting gender agreement (e.g., a woman saying 'Estoy contento') — Adjectives must match the gender of the person. If you are female, you must say 'Estoy contenta' or 'Estoy alegre'. 'Feliz' is an exception and works for both genders.
Pronouncing 'feliz' with an English 'Z' — In Latin American Spanish, the letter 'z' is pronounced like an 's'. So, 'feliz' sounds like 'feh-LEES', not 'feh-LEEZ'.
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