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Estoy feliz/estoy contento

 

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  #1  
Old September 20, 2013, 03:48 PM
Liquinn3 Liquinn3 is offline
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Estoy feliz/estoy contento

What is more 'natural' sounding to use?
What's the difference between saying 'Estoy feliz' and 'Estoy contento' if they both pretty much mean the same thing?

Thanks.
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  #2  
Old September 20, 2013, 05:08 PM
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"Feliz" and "contento" don't always mean the same thing; they are partial synonyms, but not perfect synonyms. Native speakers may be better guides to contexts where either one sounds good and they mean the same thing and also to contexts where only one of them sounds good or where they do not mean the same thing.

For example, suppose you are eating at a restaurant, and your server comes to offer you more water; you might refuse the offer by saying "gracias, estoy contento" (= "thank you, I'm happy/satisfied = I've had enough").

In this context, saying "gracias, estoy feliz" may come across as saying "thank you, I feel happy now", and your waiter may not know whether to pour more water in your glass or not.
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Old September 21, 2013, 05:36 AM
Manuel Manuel is offline
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Isn't the difference simply between "happy" and "content"? If you're a native English speaker, that should be perfectly clear then.
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Old September 21, 2013, 06:08 AM
Liquinn3 Liquinn3 is offline
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Thanks, Manuel.
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Old September 22, 2013, 04:55 PM
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Feliz= happy and contento= content.

But it has different meanings depending on the context.
For example, when you say: "Nos tocó darle un regalo para que estuviera contento", it means that the subject was conformed with the gift received.
When you say: "Él está contento porque pasó a la Universidad" it could mean "happy".
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Old September 23, 2013, 04:55 AM
Liquinn3 Liquinn3 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AMG View Post
Feliz= happy and contento= content.

But it has different meanings depending on the context.
For example, when you say: "Nos tocó darle un regalo para que estuviera contento", it means that the subject was conformed with the gift received.
When you say: "Él está contento porque pasó a la Universidad" it could mean "happy".
Muchas gracias por la clarificación, amiga.
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  #7  
Old September 23, 2013, 10:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Liquinn3 View Post
Muchas gracias por la clarificación, amiga.
Don't mention it, buddy
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