Triste vs. infeliz
In Spanish, 'triste' and 'infeliz' both refer to negative emotions but are used in slightly different contexts. Understanding these subtleties can help improve your fluency.
Triste
The word 'triste' means feeling sad or melancholic, often in a more temporary or situational context.
Estoy triste porque perdí mi libro favorito.
(I am sad because I lost my favorite book.)
La película era muy triste y lloré al final.
(The movie was very sad and I cried at the end.)
La noticia de su partida me dejó triste.
(The news of his departure left me sad.)
Infeliz
The word 'infeliz' means unhappy or unfulfilled, often suggesting a more prolonged state of discontent or dissatisfaction with life.
Se siente infeliz en su trabajo actual.
(He feels unhappy in his current job.)
Ella ha sido infeliz desde la ruptura de su relación.
(She has been unhappy since her relationship broke up.)
Vive una vida infeliz debido a sus problemas personales.
(He lives an unhappy life due to his personal issues.)
Summary
'Triste' refers to a temporary feeling of sadness, often related to specific events, while 'infeliz' suggests a more enduring sense of unhappiness or dissatisfaction. Both terms convey negative emotions but differ in their duration and context.