Today we
answer a question from Morgan in China. Morgan writes:
Question: I have a question about the words GLAD and HAPPY. In
which situations would I use them? I am confused by
these words. Thanks so much. -- Morgan, China.
in which:
en cuáles; would I use them: debería usarlas; confused by:
confundido por;
Answer: Dear Morgan, Thank
you for writing! First, let us take a look at the two words and see how they are
the same and how they are different.
thank you
for + ING verb: gracias por (seguido de un verbo en gerundio); let us
take a look: echemos un vistazo; how they are the same/different:
cuán similares/diferentes son;
USE EITHER "GLAD" OR "HAPPY"
eiher ... or
...: uno o el otro; use ... or ...: utiliza ... o ...;
GLAD and HAPPY both share the meaning of the feeling of pleasure,
joy or delight. Sometimes the two words can
be used the same way. In sentences with the words “be,” “look” or “feel,” GLAD
and HAPPY are very similar, so either one can be used. Here are two examples:
both share the
meaning of: ambos comparten el significado de; pleasure: placer;
joy: alegría; delight: deleite; the same way: de la misma
forma; so either one: entonces cualquiera de las dos;
He feels GLAD about how things turned out.
Él se
siente complacido acerca de cómo resultaron las cosas.
She looks HAPPY with her coat.
A ella
se la ve encantada con su nuevo abrigo.
You can also use GLAD or HAPPY when you want to say that someone is willing to
do something. For example:
is
willing to do something: está gustoso de hacer algo;
I would be GLAD to join you.
Me
encantaría asociarme/juntarme contigo.
I would be HAPPY to help you.
Me
encantaría ayudarte.
USE "HAPPY" ONLY
One way in which you would use HAPPY and not GLAD is when you are describing a
feeling of pleasure and enjoyment because of your life or situation. For example:
describing a
feeling of pleasure and enjoyment: describiendo una sensación de placer y
disfrute; because of: a raíz de, debido a;
She was a very HAPPY child.
Ella era
una niña muy feliz
HAPPY is better in this sentence for this reason: the child was happy because of
conditions in her situation. It was more than just one event. If you were to say
that the child was GLAD, it would be a temporary feeling. For example:
for this reason:
por este motivo; it was more than just one event: (la felicidad de la
niña) se debió a más de una situación; if you were to say: si dijéramos;
the child was GLAD: la niña estaba (simplemente) contenta; it would be a
temporary feeling: se trataría de un sentimiento momentáneo o temporario;
She was very GLAD when her father came home.
Ella
estaba contenta cuando su padre regresaba a casa.
Another time when you would use HAPPY instead of GLAD is when it is used as an
adjective, changing the meaning of the following noun. Here are a few examples:
another time:
otra situación; when you use ... instead of ...: en la cual utilizar ...
en lugar de ...; when it is used as an adjective: cuando se usa HAPPY
como un adjetivo; changing the meaning: que modifica el significado;
of the following noun: del sustantivo siguiente;
I could hear the child’s HAPPY laughter from the other room.
Pude
escuchar la risa feliz de la niña desde la otra habitación.
They have had a very HAPPY marriage.
Ellos
han tenido un matrimonio feliz.
Those were HAPPY times.
Aquellos
fueron tiempos felices.
ANOTHER USE OF "HAPPY"
Another way in which HAPPY is used is when it is used as part of a greeting or
wish for someone on a holiday or special occasion. You
would always use HAPPY (not GLAD), for a greeting like this:
a part of a
greeting: como parte de un deseo o salutación; for someone on a holiday:
para alguien de vacaciones; or special occasion: o en una ocasión
especial; you would always use: siempre deberías usar; for a greeting
like this: para saludos de este tipo;
We are wishing you HAPPY holidays!
¡Les deseamos
felices vacaciones!
I hope that helps to answer your question, Morgan.
I hope that:
espero que la explicación; helps to answer your question: ayude a
responder tu pregunta.
I’m Gregory Stachel.
And I’m Jill Robbins.
